The environmental impact of human activity does not often not factor into the prices of goods and services we buy. But it can impose measurable costs. Our articles explore the economic rationale for government intervention in environmental policy; the costs and benefits of environmental regulation; energy policy; the financial and economic issues raised by climate-related disasters; and equity issues related to the environment.
June 2, 2026
While sales of new EVs surged globally in 2025 to over 20 million vehicles, they were flat in the U.S. at 1.5 million vehicles–about 10% of new car sales.
January 28, 2025
More frequent climate disasters, population migration to locations with higher climate risk, and inflation, are raising the pressure on insurance companies.
October 28, 2024
The US’s main source of flood insurance has undergone the biggest reform since it inception. Will it help reduce Americans’ financial exposure to flooding?
July 8, 2024
Trade policy could help reduce global carbon emissions significantly. But simply adding carbon border taxes to the existing tariff system is not very effective.
November 30, 2023
Increasing the participation of private funds in climate finance is necessary to meet climate goals. But there are barriers that need to be overcome.
September 12, 2023
Emissions from agriculture have been heading in the wrong direction. Focussing on this sector has the potential of yielding high returns in the near future.
March 8, 2023
The increasing agglomeration of people and economic activity in high-risk areas of the U.S. plays a role in the rising cost of climate-related disasters.
July 22, 2022
While regulations can impose costs on companies and can be excessive, there are also circumstances under which regulations provide broader societal benefits.
June 29, 2022
Requiring climate risk disclosures would impose costs on companies but it could also benefit investors, the companies and the economy as a whole.