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.
Advances in solar forecasting: Computer vision with deep learning
Paletta et al. 2023, Advances in Applied Energy
Remote sensing for impact evaluation of agriculture and natural resource management research: Guidelines for use in One CGIAR
Pelletier et al. 2023, Standing Panel on Impact Assessment (SPIA) report
Spillovers to manufacturing plants from multi-million dollar plantations: Evidence from the Indonesian palm oil boom
Kraus et al. 2023, Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists
Principles for climate resilience are prevalent in marine protected area management plans
Lopazanski et al. 2023, Conservation Letters