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

By Harvard Environmental Economics ProgramScience

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

July 20 Covering Energy Policy from Europe: A Conversation with Lisa Friedman
As New York Times climate reporter Lisa Friedman moves to the UK to become the newspaper's London-based energy correspondent with responsibility for covering Europe and the Middle East., she speaks with host Robert Stavins to discuss the challenges of covering energy and climate policy during Trump 2.0 and the issues she expects to cover while based overseas.
30 min
May 19 Carbon Pricing and Climate Policy: A Conversation with Yale Professor Ken Gillingham
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
33 min
April 20 The Prospects for Climate Adaptation: A Conversation with Matthew Kahn
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
31 min
February 27 Law Professor Jody Freeman Unpacks the EPA's Decision to Rescind the Endangerment Finding
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
28 min
December 09, 2025 COP30 and the Prospects for Climate Coalitions: A Conversation with Cathryn Wolfram
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
27 min
September 17, 2025 Climate Policy Progress and Challenges: A Conversation with John Podesta
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
32 min
September 09, 2025 Investigating Complex Market Design Questions: A Conversation with Anna Russo
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
27 min
July 08, 2025 The Future of EVs: A Conversation with Elaine Buckberg
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
31 min
June 04, 2025 Nicholas Burns on his time as U.S. Ambassador to China and on efforts to address climate change.
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
30 min
March 09, 2025 Trump 2.0 and its Impact on Climate Policy: A Conversation with Joseph Aldy
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
31 min

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

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Hosted by Robert N. 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, Environmental Insights is intended to promote public discourse on important issues at the intersection of economics and environmental policy.