Mitigation Policy Studies, Cost Analysis, and Policy Design

Joint Program analyses confirm the view among climate scientists that, in the absence of significant mitigation efforts, nations face a risk of significant and damaging climate change. To aid in public discussion and policymaking the Program seeks to evaluate what would be required in terms of policy, economic cost, and technology to mount a response. Applying the IGSM and other facilities, this effort includes long-term studies on mitigation requirements needed to achieve various targets for atmospheric stabilization or maximum temperature change and analysis of various forms of international agreement. Also, research and analyses emphasize issues of policy design by investigating the performance of measures undertaken or proposed by the U.S. and other large nations. For the U.S., analyses also include consideration of state and regional-level policies.

Key accomplishments and publications in this area of inquiry

Ongoing Projects and Funding

1. The Interface of Infrastructures, Markets, and Natural Cycles—Innovative modeling and control mechanisms for managing electricity, water and air quality in Texas (NSF)
2. Integrated Assessment of Global Warming (EPRI)
3. Integrated Assessment Multiple Greenhouse Gases, Climate Impacts, and Pollution (EPA)
4. Dynamic Modeling of Emissions from Land-Use Activities (EPA)
5. Application of the MIT IGSM to Policy Analysis (Industrial and Gift Support)
6. Development of a Model of the U.S. Economy (EPRI, and Industrial Consortium)