The Center for Global Sustainability focuses on policies that can help in accelerating the development and deployment of clean energy technologies. This includes assessment of emerging technologies, institutional structures and policies, and financing models both in the United States and in diverse global contexts. Energy technology innovation can provide opportunities to deliver social and economic benefits and build competitive advantage, while addressing global climate and sustainable development goals. Decarbonization efforts in the energy sector through existing clean energy technologies are positive and in place—for example, on the supply-side with solar PV and wind, or on the demand-side with energy efficient appliances. Yet, the rate of technology development and deployment has been insufficient to achieve global goals.
CGS uses cross-campus collaborative thinking and research to bring particular strengths to comparative energy policy and energy technology pathways in the context of climate mitigation. CGS conducts empirical research that effectively communicates with different stakeholders involved in the process of energy technology innovation.