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.
A fish cartel for Africa
Englander and Costello 2023, Nature Communications
Cooperative membership and exposure to role models: Implications for income and asset aspirations
Tabe-Ojong et al. 2023, Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics
How to pay for ecosystem services
Plantinga et al. 2023, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Causal effects of Renewable Portfolio Standards on renewable investments and generation: The role of heterogeneity and dynamics
Deschenes et al. 2023, Resource and Energy Economics