The Environmental Markets Lab (emLab) is an interdisciplinary team of scientists based at the University of California Santa Barbara that conducts cutting-edge, data-driven research on the power, limitations, and design of market-based approaches to tackle the world's most pressing environmental problems. In collaboration with implementing partners, we aim to better align environmental objectives and economic incentives in support of sustainable livelihoods and a resilient planet.
Our Programs
Leveraging our diverse expertise, we generate timely insights into effective and equitable solutions for Climate & Energy, Land & Freshwater, Ocean & Fisheries, and People & Poverty.
Climate & Energy
Advancing effective and equitable climate solutions
Land & Freshwater
Balancing multiple ecosystem services from the land
Ocean & Fisheries
Improving prosperity and sustainability of the ocean
People & Poverty
Strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities and natural systems
emLab Blog: Our 2 Cents
Publications
An expansive literature has emerged providing recommendations for marine protected area (MPA) design. To provide a streamlined approach for practitioners, we created 24 condensed design guidelines grouped by conservation objectives to aid in MPA planning.
Wildfire insurance, information, and self-protection
Boomhower et al. 2023, AEA Papers and Proceedings
Do health disparities narrow with pollution disparities? Trends from California
Hernandez-Cortes & Meng 2023, AEA Papers and Proceedings
Equitable low-carbon transition pathways for California’s oil extraction
Deshmukh et al. 2023, Nature Energy
The economics of reducing food losses: Experimental evidence from improved storage technology in India
Shukla, Pullabhotla, and Baylis 2023, Food Policy