Global Sustainability

The Global Sustainability group at ECN Policy Studies contributes to improving international energy and climate policy. Climate change and development questions are deeply intertwined, and touch upon a wide array of technological, economic, ethical and legal issues. Our experts continuously improve their knowledge in order to serve international policymakers with new and improved insights. They perform analysis and give recommendations to international, European and Dutch governments and organisations.

More specific information on sub-themes in the group:

• Energy and development: Analysis and advice in order to promote a reliable and sustainable energy supply to the poor in developing countries. Requirements are that energy becomes available to all, thus contributing to poverty alleviation and enabling economic activities. A central aim is to achieve development that is both economically and environmentally sus-tainable in those countries where it is most needed.
• International climate policy: Studies on what the international climate regime could look like, the role of energy technology and technology-oriented agreements, and the interaction with other environmental and energy policies, with an emphasis on the continuation and improvement of the UNFCCC-process, the Clean Development Mechanism and technology transfer.
• Global energy and emission scenarios: By using a global technology-rich energy and climate model, we investigate the role and economics of climate change mitigation technologies both at the global and regional level in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. Also, we analyze the type and stringency of global and regional policy instruments to achieve ambitious global climate control targets. Through such analyses we also provide scenarios, road maps, diffusion rates and obstacles for specific technologies, such as solar-energy.
• Carbon markets: Insights on CO₂ emissions trading and the Clean Development Mechanism in the EU and beyond. We study the consequences of emissions trading for the industry and energy supply, explore future applications of the CDM, and look into interactions with other energy and climate policies.
• CCS in the global context: CCS has been on the climate negotiating table since the IPCC Special Report on CCS was published in 2005. Since then, ECN Policy Studies has been involved in a number of projects concerning CCS in the global climate regime, and contributes to a wide range of debates on how CCS will evolve on the international level.
• Transport in the global context: Research, analysis and capacity building to support sustainable transport policy development in developing countries and improve international climate policy mechanisms such as the CDM and Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions.

The experts

Marc Londo (Senior Manager)
Rahul Barua
Tjasa Bole
Lachlan Cameron
James Falzon
Tom Kober
Nico van der Linden
Tom Mikunda
Hilke Rösler
Xander van Tilburg (Coordinator low-carbon development)
Laura Würtenberger
Bob van der Zwaan (Coordinator energy innovation and policy scenarios)

For more information please contact the senior manager Marc Londo.