Economics of Climate Mission
SCEPA’s Economics of Climate Change project seeks to determine the consequences of climate change policy proposals on domestic and global economics and the possibilities for renewable energy. The project investigates effective climate change policy in light of fragile domestic and global economies, and challenges critics of policies that would mitigate climate change who cite negative effects on the economy to forestall change.
Economics of Climate Team
Our Economics of Climate project is led by New School for Social Research (NSSR) Economics Professor Willi Semmler, along SCEPA staff and students and alumni of the NSSR’s Economics Department.
Economics of Climate Research
Research led by Climate Project Director Willi Semmler focuses primarily on the transition to a green economy and the economics of climate change more broadly. Recent research highlights include:
- "European economic, fiscal, and social policy at the crossroads," Constellations, December 2020.
- The World Bank commissioned a team of New School economists to investigate fiscal policies that will help us move from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon economy while minimizing financial instability. Read about their research & focus here.
- "Climate Disaster Risks - Empirics and a Multi-Phase Dynamic Model," IMF Working Paper, July 2019.
Economics of Climate Events
Bringing together policymakers, academics, and other experts to debate the biggest questions relating to climate change and the economy is an important part of the Economics of Climate project. Recent event highlights include:
- Climate Disasters & the Green New Deal (September 2019)
SCEPA welcomed the following experts to discuss climate change, climate disasters, and the Green New Deal in the U.S. and Europe:- Stephanie Kelton, Economics Professor, Stony Brook University
- Claudia Kemfert, Economics Professor, German Institute of Economics Research
- Bob Kopp, Science Professor; Director, Institute of Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences Director, Rutgers University
- Stefan Mittnik, Economics Professor and CHair of Financial Econometrics, Ludwig Maximilian, University of Munich
- How Inequality & Climate Change Impede Sustainable Growth (April 2018)
How does inequality affect growth, and how can we design policies to foster globalization and tackle climate change in a way that is inclusive and sustainable? SCEPA welcomed the following academics, researchers, and policy analysts to discuss this question:- IMF Authors Jonathan Ostry and Prakash Loungani, who presented the findings of their book Confronting Inequality: How Societies Can Choose Inclusive Growth
- Dani Rodrik, Ford Foundation Professor of International Political Economy, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University
- Erin Hayde, NSSR Economics Alum and World Bank Consultant
