The Environmental Markets Lab (emLab) is a team of scientists based at the University of California Santa Barbara that advances economic research to deliver practical solutions for people and the planet. In collaboration with implementing partners, we design, test, and implement scalable solutions that work across boundaries—connecting science with policy, data with decisions, and ambition with action—to create pathways toward a future where environmental and human well being mutually reinforce one another.
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
The ability to meet global biodiversity and climate targets hinges on how we allocate land across competing sectors. Yet, traditional planning evaluates conservation, agriculture, and energy in isolation, assuming their expansion won't critically intersect. We find that intentional, cross-sector coordination can dramatically minimize these land-use conflicts while safeguarding high-priority natural assets.
Global trade responses to shark finning regulations
Burns et al. 2026, Nature Communications
The past and future impact of climate change on childhood malaria in Africa
Carlson et al. 2026, Nature
Environmental impacts of Indigenous land restitution in Chile
Jaimovich et al. 2026, Nature Sustainability
