Environmental Insights: Conversations on policy and practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program

Episoder

• Carbon Pricing and Climate Policy: A Conversation with Yale Professor Ken Gillingham 19.05.2026 32min

  Kenneth Gillingham, Professor of Economics at the Yale School of the Environment, is the guest on this week's episode. Drawing upon his expertise in applied microeconomics, behavioral economics, industrial organization, and integrated assessment modeling of climate change, he and host Robert Stavins discuss carbon pricing mechanisms, energy policy, and the importance of distributional equity in designing climate policy. The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2026-05/ken-gillingham-podcast-transcript-may-2026.pdf
• The Prospects for Climate Adaptation: A Conversation with Matthew Kahn 20.04.2026 30min

  Matthew Kahn, Provost Professor of Economics at the University of Southern California (USC), and one of the world's leading authorities on the intersection of urban economics, environment, and climate change, expressed his support for climate adaptation policies in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of this episode: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2026-04/matthew-kahn-podcast-transcript-april-2026.pdf
• Law Professor Jody Freeman Unpacks the EPA's Decision to Rescind the Endangerment Finding 27.02.2026 27min

  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) decision to rescind the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding is drawing sharp rebuke from scientists and environmental advocates, but the decision may not withstand challenges in the courts. That’s the assessment offered by Jody Freeman, the Archibald Cox Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2026-03/jody-freeman-podcast-transcript-march-2026.pdf
• COP30 and the Prospects for Climate Coalitions: A Conversation with Cathryn Wolfram 09.12.2025 26min

  Esteemed energy economist Catherine Wolfram shared her thoughts on the 30th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP30) and on the prospects for climate coalitions to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions in this episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of this episode here: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-12/catherine-wolfram-podcast-transcript-december-2025.pdf
• Climate Policy Progress and Challenges: A Conversation with John Podesta 17.09.2025 31min

  Longtime national political advisor John Podesta shared his insights on climate policy, the challenges of securing bipartisan support, and the global push toward clean energy in this episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” Read the transcript of this episode: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/john-podesta-podcast-transcript-september-2025.pdf
• Investigating Complex Market Design Questions: A Conversation with Anna Russo 09.09.2025 26min

  A rising star in the field of environmental economics, Anna Russo, a Junior Fellow with the Harvard Society of Fellows, shared her unique perspective on the collaborative environment at Harvard, her research methodology likened to solving puzzles, and the importance of combining diverse data sources to derive meaningful insights in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/anna-russo-podcast-transcript-september-2025.pdf
• The Future of EVs: A Conversation with Elaine Buckberg 08.07.2025 30min

  In this episode, Rob speaks with Elaine Buckberg, Senior Fellow at Harvard's Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, about the future of the EV market, both domestic and international. Read the transcript of this episode: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-07/elaine-buckberg-podcast-transcript-july-2025.pdf
• Nicholas Burns on his time as U.S. Ambassador to China and on efforts to address climate change. 04.06.2025 29min

  In this episode, Rob speaks with Nicholas Burns, the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard Kennedy School about his time serving as U.S. Ambassador to China and on his perspectives about bilateral efforts to address climate change. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/nick-burns-podcast-transcript-june-2025.pdf. Photo credit: Grace DuVal/Harvard University
• Trump 2.0 and its Impact on Climate Policy: A Conversation with Joseph Aldy 09.03.2025 30min

  Rob speaks with Joseph Aldy, the Teresa and John Heinz Professor of the Practice of Environmental Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, about the myriad ways in which the new Trump administration could impact domestic climate, energy, and environmental policy. Read a transcript of the podcast here: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-03/joseph-aldy-podcast-transcript-march-2025.pdf
• Energy Policy, Climate Change, and Global Politics: A Conversation with Vijay Vaitheeswaran 20.12.2024 29min

  Vijay Vaitheeswaran, the global energy and climate innovation editor at The Economist, expressed his appreciation for bottom-up climate policy solutions in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program (HEEP) and hosted by HEEP Director Robert Stavins. Read a transcript of the episode: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2025-01/vijay-vaitheeswaran-podcast-transcript.pdf
• Assessing the Outcome of COP29: A Conversation with New York Times Climate Reporter Max Bearak 04.12.2024 30min

  Max Bearak, energy policy and global climate negotiations reporter for the New York Times shared his perspectives on the recently concluded 29th Conference of the Parties (COP 29) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program and hosted by Robert Stavins, A.J. Meyer Professor of Energy and Economic Development at Harvard Kennedy School and director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program and the Harvard Project on Climate Agreements. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/max-bearak-podcast-transcript-dec-2024.pdf
• Using Modeling to Better Understand Climate Policy: A Conversation with Karen Fisher-Vanden 08.10.2024 26min

  The use of economy-wide and integrated assessment modeling to better understand climate change impacts and policy was the focus of discussion in the latest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program” featuring Karen Fisher-Vanden, the Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Resource Economics and Public Policy at Pennsylvania State University. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2024-10/karen-fisher-vanden-podcast-transcript.pdf.
• The Impacts of Climate on Agriculture and Land Use: A Conversation with Wolfram Schlenker 09.09.2024 27min

  How climate change is impacting American agriculture and land use was the focus of discussion in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program” featuring Wolfram Schlenker, the Ray Goldberg Professor of the Global Food System at the Harvard Kennedy School. The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast here: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/2024-09/wolfram-schlenker-podcast-transcript-9-9-2024.pdf.
• Land Use Policy and Climate Change: A Conversation with Charles Taylor 08.07.2024 32min

  The ways in which land use and environmental policies intersect with natural resource sustainability and climate change was the focus of discussion in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program” featuring Charles Taylor, assistant professor of public policy at Harvard Kennedy School. The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/charles-taylor-podcast-transcript.pdf
• International Trade and Climate Change Policy: A Conversation with Robert Lawrence 18.06.2024 32min

  The rise of political populism and economic protectionism are serious barriers impeding efforts to combat global climate change. Robert Lawrence, the Albert Williams Professor of International Trade and Investment at Harvard Kennedy School, expressed those concerns in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/robert_lawrence_podcast_transcript.pdf
• Energy, Geopolitics, and Climate Change: A Conversation with Meghan O'Sullivan 06.05.2024 29min

  International relations expert Meghan O'Sullivan, the Jeane Kirkpatrick Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Harvard Kennedy School, expressed her hopes for achieving successful international climate policy solutions in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/osullivan-podcast-transcript-v2.pdf
• Impacts of Electric Vehicle Subsidies: A Conversation with Hunt Allcott 08.04.2024 29min

  Behavioral economist Hunt Allcott, Professor of Global Environmental Policy at the Doerr School of Sustainability at Stanford University, questioned the impact of new and used electric vehicle (EV) subsidies in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcription of the podcast here: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/hunt-allcott-podcast-transcript.pdf.
• The Intersection of Trade and Climate Policy: A Conversation with Kim Clausing 04.03.2024 32min

  UCLA Law School Professor Kimberly Clausing gives the Biden Administration high praise for its climate policies in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/kim-clausing-podcast-transcript.pdf.
• Making the Case for Climate Adaptation: A Conversation with Richard Zeckhauser 08.02.2024 27min

  Eminent Harvard economist Richard Zeckhauser presented arguments for additional climate adaptation measures in the newest episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/richard-zeckhauser-podcast-transcript.pdf
• Examining the Outcomes of COP 28: A Conversation with Amy Harder 19.12.2023 30min

  Amy Harder, the founding Executive Editor of the climate policy publication Cipher News, expressed her surprise with several positive outcomes from the recent 28th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 28) in Dubai during a special episode of “Environmental Insights: Discussions on Policy and Practice from the Harvard Environmental Economics Program.” The podcast is produced by the Harvard Environmental Economics Program. Read a transcript of the podcast: https://www.belfercenter.org/sites/default/files/files/publication/amy-harder-podcast-transcript.pdf