Confronting climate change while fostering economic growth is a critical issue today, underscored by the reliance on fossil fuels. These fuels remain a common energy choice due to their low cost, yet their emissions drive global climate disruptions. To tackle this complex challenge, the University of Chicago has launched the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth, a pioneering initiative that merges research in economics, climate policy, and energy technologies with an innovative educational model.
According to President Paul Alivisatos, this new Institute builds on the University of Chicago's commitment to tackling hard problems with a rigorous, multidisciplinary approach. “Faculty and students from across our ecosystem have expressed their enthusiasm and commitment,” said Alivisatos, highlighting the Institute’s potential to educate and shape future climate leaders. “This is our moment to leverage our history and distinctive strengths to uncover the ways for humanity to achieve sustainable growth while also addressing accelerating climate change impacts.”
With support from dedicated donors, the Institute plans to bring in 20 new faculty members over five years, strengthening its interdisciplinary reach. Faculty searches are underway across various fields, including law, political science, and materials engineering, emphasizing the University’s holistic approach to addressing climate change.
The Institute will build on the work of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), expanding research across major areas, particularly in energy policy and market design. With established programs in India and China, EPIC is positioned to contribute globally impactful research.
Michael Greenstone, the Institute’s founding director, underscores the essential balance between affordable energy and climate action: “Families around the world aspire for a better life, and inexpensive energy is key to the growth that unlocks it. This can put the goals of managing climate change and growth in conflict.” The Institute will work to reconcile these goals, focusing on sustainable solutions that prioritize both economic growth and environmental stewardship.
The Energy Technologies Initiative, spearheaded by battery scientist Prof. Shirley Meng, will focus on energy storage—a critical component of the clean energy transition. Meng’s team collaborates with Argonne National Laboratory to drive advancements that could decarbonize sectors like heavy-duty transportation and stabilize renewable energy sources.
Meanwhile, the Institute’s Climate Systems Engineering initiative, led by Prof. David Keith, will explore novel strategies to address the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere. Through techniques like carbon removal and solar geoengineering, this initiative will assess the viability of these technologies to mitigate warming effects, contributing invaluable insights for policy.
The Institute is also debuting the Chicago Curriculum on Climate and Sustainable Growth, an educational program designed to immerse students in the scientific, economic, and ethical dimensions of the climate crisis. “To confront one of the greatest challenges of this generation, we must train the citizens, leaders, and workforce of tomorrow,” said David Weisbach, professor of law, who oversees the curriculum. Students will have opportunities to experience global climate challenges firsthand, bridging theory and practice in ways that no other university program offers.
The University of Chicago’s legacy in pioneering fields like astrophysics, sociology, and economics positions it uniquely to drive climate solutions through this new Institute. President Alivisatos notes, “It is this unique legacy that sets the University of Chicago apart and that will allow this new Institute to break down barriers to progress on climate change and create pathways for solutions.”
