Research
Energy, Climate, and Innovation Program
The Energy, Climate, and Innovation (ECI) Program in CIERP advances policy-relevant knowledge to address energy-related challenges and opportunities, especially global climate change. Part of the program focuses particularly on how energy-technology innovation can be better harnessed to improve human-well being, and the role of policy in the innovation process. Although ECI’s outlook is global, we have a heavy concentration on energy and climate policy within, and between, the United States and China. We also focus on how these countries influence the international negotiations on climate change. As well, we analyze strategies and policies that promote a more efficient and sustainable energy system.
The ECI program is comprised of faculty (Kelly Sims Gallagher – Program Director, and William Moomaw, and Maria Flytzani-Stephanopoulos), affiliated faculty (Timothy Weiskel), pre-and-post doctoral research fellows (Xiaowei Xuan, Hengwei Liu, and Travis Franck), senior research fellows (Patrick Verkooijen), and graduate student research assistants (Clifford Polycarp).
Specific projects for 2009-2010:
- Development of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) road-map for China that takes into account the technical, political, and economic barriers and incentives
- Analysis of policies that can help to overcome the economic hurdles for CCS in both the United States and China
- Assessment of energy-economic models for understanding the impact of climate-change polices in China
- Exploration of the validity of claims regarding the barriers to the transfer of cleaner energy technologies to developing countries
- Identification of areas for cooperation between the United States and China
- In collaboration with the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy, and Strategy at the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya (IDC, Israel), assessment of the national and international potential of carbon bio-sequestration via algae as compared with other alternatives for carbon dioxide mitigation, and exploration of the costs and policy options to support the implementation of algae sequestration of carbon on a large scale
- Contribution of lead authors to the reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Global Energy Assessment
- In collaboration with Fletcher’s Center for Emerging Market Enterprises, bringing together of leading manufacturers, investors, and policymakers to discuss initiatives related to energy and climate change in emerging markets including China, Brazil, and India
- International analysis of implementation strategies for renewable energy
- Exploration of challenges and solutions handled by the Massachusetts Climate Adaptation Task Force
Agriculture, Forests, and Biodiversity Program
CIERP is working to redefine development and natural resource management, so as to address the current imbalance in resource use and extraction. We explore policy options that will promote actions that lead to solutions to existing imbalances.
The Agriculture, Forests, and Biodiversity Program in CIERP advances policy-relevant knowledge to address natural resource management challenges and opportunities, especially global forest management and sustainable agricultural practices. The program focuses particularly on current international forest negotiations and financing mechanisms as well as issues surrounding the increased use of biofuel crops to meet increasing energy demands.
The Agriculture, Forests, and Biodiversity Program is comprised of faculty (William Moomaw – Program Director, and Hans Hoogeveen), affiliated faculty (Otto Doering and Ben Grammig), pre-and-post doctoral research fellows (Travis Franck, Melissa Birch, and Nancy Gleason), senior research fellows (Charles Chester, Patrick Verkooijen, and Caleb McClennan), and graduate student research assistants.
Specific projects for 2009-2010:
- In collaboration with agricultural economists at Purdue University development of an alternative damage cost tool for identifying the most effective intervention points in the management of reactive nitrogen
- Completion of work for the USEPA Science Advisory Board, Integrated Nitrogen Management Committee and the Ecosystem Services Research Program
- Development of an approach to implement, at the international level, a recently outlined multi-actor, multi-pronged and multi-level framework for financing a wide range of needs for forest initiatives throughout the world
- co-authoring of a book with practitioners on the transformation of international sustainable development diplomacy and governance, building on recent successes with international forest negotiations
- Awarding of the United Nations Forum on Forests–Netherlands Fellowship annually to Fletcher students interested in international forest policy issues
- Updating and maintenance of a website database with all of the latest information and resources on biodiversity issues and management
- Exploration of challenges and solutions handled by the Massachusetts Forest Fitness Task Force
Water and Oceans Program
The Water and Oceans Program conducts research related to freshwater and ocean issues and management. We conduct research on the potential for achieving water quality goals in developing countries and on innovative strategies for providing safe, affordable water to poor regions of the world. We examine the ocean as a source, avenue, and arena: a source of foodstuffs and energy, of recreation and cultural inspiration; an avenue for the flow of goods, people, and ideas; and an arena for struggle and warfare. The Program coordinates its water research with the Tufts University Water Systems Science and Society program.
The Water and Oceans Program is comprised of faculty (William Moomaw – Program Director, Shafiqul Islam, and John Perry), affiliated faculty (Richard Vogel and Stephen Lambo), pre-and-post doctoral research fellows (Travis Franck and Anna Shulz), senior research fellows (Rockford Weitz, Scott Borgerson, and Enrique Hidalgo), and graduate student research assistants.
Specific projects for 2009-2010:
- Creation of a major searchable website for international water treaties to better understand the evolution of international water treaties
- Investigation of the relationship between water management and energy production (including biofuels)
- Teaching of a new University Seminar with the School of Engineering on Water and Diplomacy, and development of an integrated doctoral program around this theme
- Identification of why fisheries policies are so ineffective in protecting fishing stocks and marine biodiversity and development of alternative effective strategies and means within the framework of common EU Fisheries Policy
- Exploration of international (oceanic) history and American-East Asian relations
- Exploration of contemporary oceanic history including how and to what effect humankind is currently using the oceans