Michael A. Toman
Senior Fellow
Michael A. Toman returned to Resources for the Future as a senior fellow in 2021 after stints at the World Bank Development Research Group, RAND Corporation, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Mike served as a Senior Staff Economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisers from 1994–1996. His current research interests include reduction of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, critical minerals for decarbonization, markets for emission reduction credits, and climate change policies in developing countries. Mike has a BA from Indiana University, a MSc in applied mathematics from Brown University, and MA and PhD degrees in economics from the University of Rochester.
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Editorial
- News
Issue Brief — Apr 25, 2024
Policies for Scaling Up Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States
This issue brief assesses an array of technologies and policy options for increasing the role of carbon dioxide removal in meeting US climate goals.
Common Resources — Mar 7, 2024
Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know
A primer on the importance of critical minerals for electric vehicles and concerns about their availability and cost.
Report — Feb 21, 2024
Policy Incentives to Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Analysis and Recommendations
This report surveys the challenges to scaling carbon dioxide removal efforts in the United States and details short-term solutions and long-run policy frameworks.
Press Release — Dec 12, 2023
Reliability of the Critical Minerals Supply Chain is Dependent on International Cooperation
A new report lays out the challenges and policy options associated with sourcing and processing these critical minerals.
Issue Brief — Apr 25, 2024
Policies for Scaling Up Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States
This issue brief assesses an array of technologies and policy options for increasing the role of carbon dioxide removal in meeting US climate goals.
Report — Feb 21, 2024
Policy Incentives to Scale Carbon Dioxide Removal: Analysis and Recommendations
This report surveys the challenges to scaling carbon dioxide removal efforts in the United States and details short-term solutions and long-run policy frameworks.
Report — Dec 7, 2023
Policy Challenges for Accessing Critical Minerals to Electrify Vehicle Transport
This report explores challenges to accessing the supply of critical minerals necessary for widespread vehicle electrification in the United States.
Issue Brief — Nov 9, 2023
Reducing Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions through “Climate-Smart” Markets, Technical Innovation, and Emissions Credit Trading
This issue brief, the last in a series on agricultural greenhouse gas emissions policy, examines "climate-smart" markets, public support for research and development, and emissions credit trading.
Resources Magazine — Oct 22, 2020
Space: The Next Great Market Opportunity
Michael Toman, lead climate change economist at the World Bank’s Development Research Group, discusses on the Resources Radio podcast the commercialization and privatization of outer space.
Common Resources — Mar 7, 2024
Critical Minerals for Electric Vehicles: What You Need to Know
A primer on the importance of critical minerals for electric vehicles and concerns about their availability and cost.
Common Resources — Aug 30, 2023
Critical Minerals: Insights from a Recent Workshop
Insights for how the United States can approach secure and affordable access to the critical minerals that are needed for electric vehicle production, from a recent workshop held at Resources for the Future.
Common Resources — Mar 13, 2023
Remembering Milton Russell
Milton Russell, a Resources for the Future senior fellow and research director from 1972 to 1983, died last month. His colleagues describe him as “a giant in our field and in RFF’s legacy,” and his insights continue to inform modern energy policy.
Press Release — Dec 12, 2023
Reliability of the Critical Minerals Supply Chain is Dependent on International Cooperation
A new report lays out the challenges and policy options associated with sourcing and processing these critical minerals.
Media Highlight — Mar 23, 2023
E&E News: "EVs, Mineral Deals Loom Large as Biden Heads to Canada"
RFF Senior Fellow Mike Toman is quoted several times in this article that highlights the United States' relationship with Canada in sourcing critical minerals.
Media Highlight — Jan 30, 2023
CQ Roll Call: "With EV Batteries in Demand, Some in GOP Say 'No' to China"
Senior Fellow Mike Toman is quoted extensively in a widely syndicated article about growing calls for domestic battery production.
Press Release — Dec 14, 2022
To Reduce Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, A New Study Recommends Strengthening Farmer Incentives and Emissions Measurement
To Reduce Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Emissions, A New Study Recommends Strengthening Farmer Incentives and Emissions Measurement