Fossil fuel companies are under pressure from shareholders, citizens and the courts to shift their business models to reduce emissions or face huge financial consequences. There are now more than 1,500 large corporations with net-zero emission pledges, including one-quarter of the S&P 500.

In today’s episode, host Bill Loveless speaks with Mindy Lubber — President and CEO of CERES, a sustainability nonprofit that pushes private companies to integrate the risks associated with climate change into their business strategies. 

They spoke about the changes happening in the market and inside boardrooms, and whether any of it is happening fast enough.

NEW YORK — The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs announced today that Dr. Melissa C. Lott has been selected as the Center’s Director of Research. Dr. Lott will serve as a key part of the leadership team, working with the Center’s Founding Director to shape the Center’s research efforts that span the economic, environmental, and geopolitical aspects of the current and future energy system.

“Melissa’s deep knowledge and expertise will contribute greatly to the understanding of critical energy issues and enhance the Center’s research, teaching, engagement, and, ultimately, its impact on solutions for climate change. I am really looking forward to working with Melissa,” said Dr. Geoffrey M. Heal, Donald C. Waite III Professor of Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School and Chair of CGEP’s Academic Steering Committee. 

“We could not be more excited that Melissa will be moving into this new position. Melissa exemplifies CGEP’s mission by combining first-rate scholarship with a proven track record of external engagement, communication and impact,” said Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs and Founding Director of CGEP.

As CGEP’s Research Director, Dr. Lott will develop research collaborations across Columbia University, its new Climate School, and outside academic organizations, oversee CGEP’s external expert review process for research publications, and coordinate the work of CGEP’s research programs to advance academic research that responds to the challenges of today in real-time.

“We are facing a series of critical challenges around the world as we work to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change and protect human health and the environment. The energy sector lies at the heart of the solutions, and detailed, fact-based analysis to support policy solutions is needed more than ever. It is an honor to take on this new role at the Center on Global Energy Policy, and I look forward to developing new research in conjunction with CGEP’s other scholars and our partners both within Columbia University and throughout the global research community,” said Dr. Lott.

About Dr. Melissa C. Lott

Dr. Lott joined CGEP in October 2019, to lead the Center’s Power Sector and Renewables Research Initiative. Prior to joining CGEP, Dr. Lott served as the Assistant Vice President of the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre, where she led the development of the flagship APEC Energy Demand and Supply Outlook. Dr. Lott also served as the primary author of the International Energy Agency’s technology roadmap on energy storage. She was previously a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy, where she was the Lead of Energy Modeling and Simulation for the CFO’s Program Analysis and Evaluation Office. Dr. Lott holds a Ph.D. from University College London and master’s degrees in both mechanical engineering and public affairs from the University of Texas at Austin. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biological systems engineering from the University of California, Davis. An author of more than 350 articles on energy, Dr. Lott is known for her role as a founding author of Scientific American’s Plugged In energy column.

About the Center on Global Energy Policy

The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA advances smart, actionable, and evidence-based energy and climate solutions through research, education, and dialogue. Based at one of the world’s top research universities, what sets CGEP apart is our ability to communicate academic research, scholarship, and insights in formats and on timescales that are useful to decision-makers. We bridge the gap between academic research and policy — complementing and strengthening the world-class research already underway at Columbia University, while providing support, expertise, and policy recommendations to foster stronger, evidence-based policy. Recently, Columbia University President Lee Bollinger announced the creation of a new Climate School — the first in the nation — to tackle the most urgent environmental and public health challenges facing humanity. Follow us on Twitter @ColumbiaUEnergy.

Fifty years ago this week, 20 million Americans came together to march for the planet, demanding action to clean up America’s waterways and air and protect public health. Their efforts launched the first Earth Day and the modern environmental movement. To celebrate this milestone, CGEP is releasing a special double episode of the Columbia Energy Exchange podcast to reflect back on the U.S. environmental movement in 1970, examine the movement’s successes in reducing pollution, and find lessons for addressing climate change. This page features research, videos and events from CGEP scholars and researchers examining policies, technologies and economic incentives aimed at addressing climate change. Connect with us on social media to celebrate Earth Day and be part of the solution as we look forward to the next 50.

Podcast

Earth Day at 50: Reflections from Gina McCarthy: Host Jason Bordoff talks to former EPA Administrator and NRDC president and chief executive officer Gina McCarthy on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Earth Day at 50: Reflections from William Reilly: Host Jason Bordoff is joined by Bill Reilly, who has a remarkable career in the environmental movement.

Building Coalitions for a Clean Energy Recovery: Host Bill Loveless is joined by Dr. Ernest Moniz, former Sectretary of Energy, to talk about the role that energy sectors can play in reinvigorating the U.S. economy.

Greener Stimulus? Economic Recovery and Climate Policy: Host Jason Bordoff is joined by Dr. Joe Aldy to gain insight into design of stimulus and how climate policy could factor into it.

Carbon Solutions for Climate Change: Host Bill Loveless catches up with Julio Friedmann, a senior research scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy and the director of the center’s Carbon Management Research Initiative.

Research

Earth Day at 50 Reveals What’s Missing in Climate Change Fight: In Foreign Policy, CGEP Founding Director Jason Bordoff reflects on the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day.

How to Broaden the Coalition Against Climate Change: In Foreign Policy, CGEP Founding Director Jason Bordoff argues that while the dramatic increase in urgency and attention to the issue of climate change at Davos was very welcome, turning ambition into action will require that corporate and activist leaders alike increasingly advocate for policy change, focus on the regions and energy sectors driving emissions growth, and find common ground on the best role for the energy industry to play in delivering decarbonization solutions.

The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change: In The Lancet, CGEP Senior Research Scholar Dr. Melissa C. Lott explores the health impacts of energy pollution, and how climate change is undermining the foundations of good health.

Interactions Between a Federal Carbon Tax and Other Climate Policies: CGEP’s Carbon Tax Research Initiative explores key questions and implications related to the design and implementation of a carbon tax in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the threat of climate change. In this report, Justin Gundlach, CGEP Non-Resident Fellow Ron Minsk and Research Scholar Dr. Noah Kaufman propose a framework to consider the interactions between a federal carbon tax and salient energy and emissions policies. The paper provides policymakers information about how they might want to add, subtract, or change existing policies by using the framework to classify existing policies are either complementary or redundant to a federal carbon tax.

Low-Carbon Heat Solutions for Heavy Industry: Sources, Options, and Costs Today: CGEP’s Carbon Management Research Initiative explores the public policy, financial and economic aspects of removing, storing and using carbon dioxide to reduce greenhouse gases and address the threat of climate change. In this report, CGEP Senior Research Scholar Dr. Julio Friedmann explains why the U.S. needs an agenda to decarbonize heavy industry.

Guide to Chinese Climate Policy: In the Guide to Chinese Climate Policy, CGEP Inaugural Fellow David Sandalow explores the impacts of climate change in China and the effectiveness of policies designed to address climate change.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor Power Projects: Insights into Environmental and Debt Sustainability: CGEP Senior Research Scholar Dr. Erica Downs examines the environmental and debt sustainability of China’s Belt and Road Initiative through the lens of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power sector projects. 

The Role of Natural Gas in the Energy Transition: CGEP Non-Resident Fellow Akos Losz and Senior Research Scholar Jonathan Elkind discuss industry outlooks for natural gas and LNG demand, and question marks surrounding the role of gas in deep decarbonization scenarios consistent with the Paris Agreement’s climate goals. 

Engaging State-Owned Enterprises in Climate Action: CGEP Adjunct Research Scholar Philippe Benoit explores the role of state-owned enterprises in climate change, examines the effectiveness of market-oriented solutions such as carbon taxes in changing SOE behavior, and evaluates some other potential strategies for reducing their emissions.

Energy Transition Fact Sheet: The world has embarked on an unprecedented effort to completely transition its energy supply and use to mitigate risks of global climate change. A new fact sheet outlines the challenges and opportunities in the global energy transition.

PG&E: Market and Policy Perspectives on the First Climate Change Bankruptcy: CGEP Senior Fellow John MacWilliams, Sarah La Monaca and James Kobus analyze the PG&E bankruptcy, assess how capital markets have reacted to the bankruptcy through the lens of valuations in the US utility sector, and discuss the policy implications of California’s recent legislative response to wildfire risk.

The Next Generation of Federal Clean Electricity Tax Credits: CGEP Adjunct Senior Research Scholar and Fellow Dr. Varun Sivaram and Research Scholar Dr. Noah Kaufman examine the renewable electricity production and investment tax credits and offer design principles for future clean electricity tax incentives.

Toward a Real Green Belt and Road: CGEP Senior Research Scholar Jonathan Elkind surveys the considerable environmental impacts of the Belt and Road Initiative in its current form and highlights several approaches to limit—and ideally eliminate—negative environmental impacts.

Accelerating Electric Bus Adoption in New York City: On September 17, 2019, CGEP hosted a workshop led by CGEP Inaugural Fellow David Sandalow and Columbia University SIPA Energy and Environment practicum students on the electrification of New York City’s bus fleet that offered a number of observations and recommendations to assist the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) with meeting its goal of fully electrifying New York City’s municipal bus fleet by 2040. 

Events

In this series of free, one-hour virtual sessions, experts from across the Earth Institute and the Center on Global Energy Policy share aspects of their work through lectures, interactive activities, and live demos. On Monday, April 27, 2020, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST, CGEP Senior Research Scholar Erin Blanton will lead Let’s Get Fired Up With Energy to explore what makes the lights go on, heats our homes, and makes our cars go. During this interactive online session targeted for students in the 2nd to 4th grades, she will explain the basics of energy and the different finite and renewable natural resources that provide us with the energy that we need. View the full lineup here. 

Video

Jason Bordoff for Earth Day: In a new video, CGEP Founding Director Jason Bordoff talks about the work of the Earth Institute, of which CGEP is an affiliate, “to bring the whole collective ambition and capacity of a great research institution like Columbia to bear on solving problems in the world like climate change.”

Carbon Taxes: How They Work: As economists, policymakers and other leaders eye carbon taxes as a climate policy solution, the Center on Global Energy Policy launched a new video that provides the basics on how carbon taxes work and what tradeoffs to consider.

Additional Resources

Looking Back, Moving Forward: Fifty years ago in recognition of the first Earth Day, thousands of students and faculty members at Columbia University participated in workshops, speeches, and marches as part of a national environmental teach-in. The Earth Institute continues in that rich tradition and celebrating the knowledge and people that are helping to guide the world onto a path toward sustainability.

What the First Earth Day Achieved | State of the Planet Blog

NEW YORK — The Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs announced today that Erin Blanton has joined CGEP as a Senior Research Scholar. Blanton will lead the natural gas research initiative and will conduct research focused on the role of natural gas in the energy transition, energy markets and geopolitics. Blanton will also manage collaborative projects that contribute to the University’s wider research and engage with public and private sector leaders, journalists and students.

“Global natural gas markets are in the midst of a major transformation. Investors, regulatory agencies and policymakers are working to understand the economic, environmental and geopolitical impacts of this transformation,” said Jason Bordoff, Professor of Professional Practice in International and Public Affairs and Founding Director of CGEP. “Erin can speak fluently on everything from the impact of increased LNG flows on Russia’s leverage over European gas buyers to the environmental implications of natural gas methane leakage and flaring. We are confident she will help us continue to drive our work in this space ahead successfully. Her deep expertise in energy markets will help bring into context the impact this transformation will have on global trade, energy security and efforts to address climate change.”

“The natural gas industry has made a case that gas can be a critical factor in the ongoing energy transition as a bridge fuel, primarily by displacing more-polluting coal in the energy system,” said Blanton. “But methane leaks, flaring and venting — which are receiving steadily greater attention in recent years — all have the potential to undermine the role of the industry in this transition and their profitability moving forward. I’m excited to join the team at CGEP and am looking forward to engaging the industry on the importance of the environmental, social and governance aspects of transforming the sector.”

About Erin Blanton

Before joining the Center, Blanton spent 16 years at Medley Global Advisors, an independent macro-policy research firm. Blanton was a managing director and led natural gas and renewable coverage as part of the firm’s energy team. Her clients consisted of the world’s leading hedge funds, asset managers and investment banks. Blanton has a master’s degree in Energy Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Cornell University.

NEW YORK — Climate change is undermining the foundations of good health; threatening the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the hospitals and clinics we depend on. However, the response to climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century. New research published today in the British medical journal The Lancet, The Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change, tracks annual indicators of progress, empowering the health profession and policymakers to accelerate their response. Dr. Melissa C. Lott, Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University SIPA is co-author of the section on mitigation in the energy sector, which provides new data and insights that show how climate change and air pollution from burning fossil fuels is already harming human health.

According to this research, in 2018, we experienced 831 climate-related extreme events around the globe, resulting in $166 billion in economic loses. Every child born today will be affected by climate change, says its authors. Without significant intervention, this new era will come to define the health of people at every stage of their lives, particularly children.

At the core of the challenge – and its solution – are our global energy systems.

Existing datasets clearly show that the energy sector (including not only power plants, but also transportation and industry) not only produces the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions but also the vast majority of key air pollutants that damage our bodies including particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. For example, exposure to this air pollution leads to increasing instances of childhood asthma, heart disease, respiratory illness, cancers, and early death.

This research shows how the transition to cleaner sources of energy could be one of the world’s greatest public health opportunities. We have already made some progress with using renewable energy to generate electricity and adopting electric vehicles. But, we are not on track to meet Paris Agreement targets. From 2016 to 2018, global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector still grew by 2.6% from 2016 to 2018. Here in the United States, after almost a decade of decline, air pollution rose from 2016 to 2018, leading to nearly 10,000 additional early deaths.

According to this research, we are currently facing a world in which we are more likely to get lung cancer even if we don’t smoke and where more children will develop asthma, suffer infectious disease, and be faced with a lifetime of health challenges due to the combined effects of climate change and air pollution. But, such outcomes are not inevitable, and we know the solutions. By transitioning to clean energy systems as soon as possible, we can mitigate the damage to our health.

Read the Report