China has committed to peak its CO₂ emissions by or before 2030 under the Paris Agreement. Some strategies to move toward this target include substituting natural gas for coal and increasing solar energy production. Our researchers explore various energy scenarios and their projected opportunities or trade-offs for air quality, emissions, water, and human health.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and since 1850 the concentration of atmospheric methane has more than doubled. We have found that emission inventories may be missing sources and underestimating emissions, including leakage from offshore oil and gas rigs and abandoned and active gas and oil wells.

Nuclear energy provides for approximately 10% of global electricity consumption, and is considered to be a sustainable, low-carbon option for energy production. However, nuclear power is also a controversial source given its safety and security implications related to accidents or meltdowns, attacks, fuel waste handling, and nuclear weapon proliferation. Our researchers study the future of nuclear energy in light of these complexities.

The investments that countries, multilateral development banks, and businesses make today in energy technologies and infrastructure will have long-term consequences for our ability to meet greenhouse gas emission targets. Our researchers have developed new, more comprehensive methods of tracing direct foreign investments in energy technologies and assessing their significance for national and global emissions goals.

The planet is moving toward a climate crisis. What will it take for governments to take rapid action to move away from high dependence on fossil fuels and severely cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2050? This research aims to provide concrete pathways, exploring the technologies, policies, and behavior change required to quickly decarbonize. The project focuses on the economies of three of the world's major greenhouse gas contributors: China, India, and the United States.