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Climate and Energy

Tackling the interrelated policy and technology challenges that must be addressed to get to zero global carbon emissions in a world where costs matter led Professor David Victor to create the UC San Diego Deep Decarbonization Initiative in collaboration with Jacobs School of Engineering. Working with scholars from across the university, they help societies link the best science and technology with politically realistic economic strategies for putting new energy systems into place to make a difference while meeting the energy needs of all of humanity. By organizing research projects across academic disciplines, they engage energy industry representatives, elected officials and other policymakers on a largescale.

Faculty and Research

Related Faculty

  • Jennifer Burney

    Jennifer Burney

    Professor; Marshall Saunders Chancellor’s Endowed Chair in Global Climate Policy and Research

    Research Fields: climate impacts and adaptation, food-energy-water systems, food and nutrition security, land use, economic development

  • Michael Davidson

    Michael Davidson

    Assistant Professor

    Research Fields: China, electricity markets, energy policy, climate change policy

  • Teevrat Garg

    Teevrat Garg

    Associate Professor of Economics

    Research Fields: environmental economics, development economics, decarbonization, South and Southeast Asia

  • Joshua Graff Zivin

    Joshua Graff Zivin

    Professor; Pacific Economic Cooperation Chair in International Economic Relations; Director, Peter F. Cowhey Center on Global Transformation

    Research Fields: environmental, public health, development, innovation economics

  • Ruixue Jia

    Ruixue Jia

    Associate Professor

    Research Fields: China, development economics, economic history, political economy

  • Gordon McCord

    Gordon McCord

    Associate Teaching Professor and Associate Dean

    Research Fields: development economics, public health, environment

  • Kate Ricke

    Kate Ricke

    Associate Professor; Edward A. Frieman Endowed Presidential Chair in Climate Sustainability

    Research Fields: climate change, public policy

  • David Victor

    David Victor

    Professor; Peter Cowhey Center on Global Transformation Chair in Innovation and Public Policy; Director, Deep Decarbonization Initiative

    Research Fields: human rights, international law, energy policy, climate change policy

Related Research Centers and Programs

  • Deep Decarbonization Initiative 

    Deep Decarbonization Initiative 

    Focused on helping the world cut emissions of warming gases essentially to zero given the very real science, technology, economic and political constraints that exist. This initiative at UC San Diego is co-led by GPS Professor David Victor.
  • Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation

    Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation


    Facilitating innovative research on the causes of international conflict and cooperation, this institute serves the entire UC system and is committed to educating the next generation of problem solvers and peacemakers.
  • Laboratory on International Law and Regulation

    Laboratory on International Law and Regulation

    Exploring when and why laws actually work, this living laboratory looks across an array of issues from environment and energy to human rights, trade and security.
  • Science Policy Fellows Program

    Science Policy Fellows Program

    This program facilitates the exploration of policy implications and the practical application of research in engineering, medicine, and marine and earth sciences for strategic decision-making.