Analysis
Decarbonization
Our position
Climate change is a chronic problem to be managed over decades, not an exceptional emergency that suspends the ordinary constraints of politics and physics. Energy transitions have historically occurred slowly alongside continued energy demand growth: societies move toward denser, cheaper, more convenient energy sources because they are useful, with carbon intensity falling as a cobenefit. Decarbonization is itself a byproduct of economic modernization. Setting unachievable net-zero targets and warming thresholds or trying to tax carbon are often self-defeating politically and socially regressive. To motivate decarbonization, we need to make clean energy abundant and cheap through public and private innovation and deployment efforts, aided by regulatory and permitting reform.
Start here
Three pieces the team says to read first
Decarbonization work
Research, analysis and everything we have put on the record: comments, testimony, statements, letters and endorsements.
Showing 13–18 of 484
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Report
A Crossroads for Aluminum and Electrified Heavy Industry
The Growing Significance of Light Metals Industry and Knowledge
· Seaver Wang, Ryan Alimento, Yue "Joy" Jiang
Analysis
California Should Stop Forcing Drivers to Subsidize Deforestation
Why crop-based biofuels are undermining the state’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
· Dan Blaustein-Rejto, Lauren Teixeira
Analysis
Greenwashing With Chinese Characteristics
China's "Green Electrostate" Is Neither
· Seaver Wang, Ted Nordhaus, Vijaya Ramachandran
Analysis
Why California’s Coastal Commission Should Let Diablo Canyon Keep Operating
Fish larvae are stalling a key permit for California's largest clean power plant
· Seaver Wang
Analysis
Six Things the Climate Movement Gets Wrong About China
The China Conversation We All Keep Dodging
· Seaver Wang
Analysis
Do Renewables Lower Electricity Prices?
Lessons for an Energy Affordability Agenda
· Lauren Teixeira
13–18 of 484
Who to talk to
Alex Trembath
Executive Director Email
Latest: The Faulty Logic at the Heart of Environmentalist Opposition to BAAJA
Seaver Wang
Director, Climate and Energy Email
Latest: The Faulty Logic at the Heart of Environmentalist Opposition to BAAJA
Questions
What does decarbonization mean?
Decarbonization means reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions from sectors like electricity, transportation, industry, buildings, agriculture, and land use change. Decarbonization does not mean using less energy, but rather replacing carbon-emitting technologies with cleaner alternatives, including nuclear power, renewables, and electrification.
Why is decarbonization important?
Stopping the accumulation of atmospheric carbon dioxide is key to limiting further warming and its associated impacts. Solutions like abundant, affordable, reliable clean energy can reduce emissions while supporting economic growth and rising living standards.
How close are we to net zero?
The world remains extremely far from achieving net-zero emissions. In 2024, the world emitted nearly 38.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and heavy industry alone—an increase of almost 1.6 billion metric tons of CO2 from five years prior in 2019.
What is an example of decarbonization?
Replacing a coal-fired power plant with a nuclear power plant is one example of decarbonization. Both produce large amounts of electricity, but nuclear plants generate power without emitting carbon dioxide during operation.