Climate and Energy Program

Worldwatch Institute's Climate and Energy Program is dedicated to achieving a transformation of the global energy system in order to stabilize the climate and increase energy security.

Strong scientific evidence indicates that global greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2020 and be more than halved by 2050 to avoid catastrophic climate change. Worldwatch's Energy and Climate Change Program aims to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy based on sustainable use of renewable energy sources in concert with major energy-efficiency gains, sustainable agricultural practices, and low-emissions transportation.

Although many argue that such a transition will be expensive and difficult, Worldwatch research shows that it would create vast economic opportunities, spur innovation and job creation, and assist efforts to reduce poverty while providing a more resilient and sustainable global economic system. Worldwatch works to inform decision makers about the potential for a low-carbon future and to develop and communicate policies and strategies that can best achieve that goal.

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Projects

Low-Carbon Development Strategies – Providing nations with policy advice and research on the potential and deployment of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and transportation, in order to support achievement of low-carbon development goals

Natural Gas and Sustainable Energy Initiative – Investigating the latest natural gas sources and extraction technologies, their environmental impact, and their potential to reduce greenhouse gases and enable widespread adoption of renewables

Green Transport Jobs – Exploring policies that encourage investments in rail and transit manufacturing

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status Reports – Providing an integrated picture of the global renewable energy and energy efficiency situations, including reports for the IPCC, REEEP, and REN 21

Climate and Energy Security 2.0 – Researching the security implications of a transition of the international energy, industrial, and transportation systems toward green technologies

Agriculture, Health, and Climate Change – Supporting agricultural innovations that nourish people and support rural livelihoods while also protecting soils and water supplies and helping communities cope with a changing climate

China Program – Helping decision makers in China and around the globe better understand the country’s environmental challenges and opportunities, including in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency

India Climate Initiative – Tracking key developments in India while assisting today's leaders make the decisions of tomorrow

New Economy Council – Connecting green industry players and sustainability champions with policymakers and experts from Europe and the United States

Re-Volt – Cutting edge commentary on international climate and energy policy and updates on the work of Worldwatch’s climate and energy team

Experts

Alexander Ochs, Director, Climate and Energy Program
International climate negotiations; domestic climate and energy policies of the United States, Europe, and major emerging countries; economic, social, and security effects of low-carbon strategies

Christopher Flavin, President Emeritus
Building a low-carbon economy; peak oil; global climate change

Robert Engelman, President
Climate change and population; gender issues

Alice Jaspersen, Vital Signs Online Director and Research Associate
Biofuels; coal; renewable energy and energy efficiency; energy policy

Saya Kitasei, MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow, 2009–10

Haibing Ma, China Program Manager
Climate change and clean energy policies, sectoral analysis, electronic waste management

Michael Renner, Senior Researcher
Green economy; transportation; global security

Janet L. Sawin, Senior Fellow
Renewable energy and climate change mitigation; renewables policy and global trends; global climate change

Sam Shrank, MAP Sustainable Energy Fellow, 2010-2011

Damandeep Singh, India Program Manager

Heidi VanGenderen, Senior Energy Advisor (natural gas)
Natural gas; sub-federal climate and energy policy