Social Cost of Carbon
RFF researchers are leading a team of distinguished economists and scientists to improve the science behind estimates of the social cost of carbon—the means by which the US federal government, state governments, and foreign governments account for climate change in their actions—through a process that ensures the highest levels of scientific quality and transparency and builds the scientific foundation for future estimates.
Highlights
Featured Content
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Resources Radio — Apr 2, 2024
Estimating the Social Costs of Hydrofluorocarbons, with Lisa Rennels
Lisa Rennels discusses the effects on the climate of hydrofluorocarbons, a class of synthetic chemicals often used for air-conditioning and refrigeration.
Common Resources — Mar 21, 2024
Feedbacks between Emissions Markets and Political Outcomes: A Case Study of Washington State’s Cap-and-Trade Program
A simple model described here shows feedbacks between emissions markets and policy change: in an upcoming referendum to repeal a cap-and-trade program in Washington, the price of emissions allowances can affect and be affected by potential voter behavior.
Media Highlight — Feb 22, 2024
Issues in Science and Technology: “Lessons from a Decade of Philanthropy for Interdisciplinary Energy Research”
A reflection on research funding discusses the far-reaching impacts of a grant on RFF's social cost of carbon work.
Media Highlight — Jan 12, 2024
New York Times: “The Price of Carbon Emissions Plunged in 2022, and That‘s Not Good”
A column about new data on carbon prices references important RFF research on the social cost of carbon and quotes former board member Robert Litterman.
Working Paper — Oct 23, 2023
Disentangling the Roles of Growth Uncertainty, Discounting, and the Climate Beta on the Social Cost of Carbon
This working paper clarifies the conceptual effect of uncertainty in future economic growth on the social cost of carbon.
Journal Article — Oct 16, 2023
Seven Recommendations for Pricing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
This journal article features seven recommendations for improving estimates of the social cost of greenhouse gas emissions.
Testimony and Public Comments — Aug 8, 2023
Updated Estimates of the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases for Usage in Regulatory Analysis Related to EPA Emissions Guidelines from Existing Fossil Fuel-Fired Generating Units
This comment to the Environmental Protection Agency provides an overview of the best available science on the social cost of carbon related to the agency's proposed revisions to section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act.
Issue Brief — Mar 30, 2023
Will Nations Meet the Paris Agreement’s Emissions and Temperature Goals?
An issue brief calculating the probability of the world meeting the Paris Climate Agreement's emissions reduction and temperature targets.
RFF Live — Apr 11, 2023
Modernizing Regulatory Review: Exploring OMB’s Updated Benefit-Cost Guidance
Modernizing Regulatory Review: Exploring OMB’s Updated Benefit-Cost Guidance
RFF Live — Sep 1, 2022
An Updated Social Cost of Carbon: Calculating the Cost of Climate Change
A multi-institutional research team unveils its updated estimate of the social cost of carbon
RFF Live — Mar 22, 2022
Climate Change and the Supreme Court
Examining US court cases that will play a large role in determining the future of US climate policy and environmental regulation
Speech/Presentation — Sep 9, 2021
Social Cost of Carbon Presentation at BPEA Fall 2021 Conference
Social Cost of Carbon Presentation at BPEA Fall 2021 Conference
Resources Radio — Apr 2, 2024
Estimating the Social Costs of Hydrofluorocarbons, with Lisa Rennels
Lisa Rennels discusses the effects on the climate of hydrofluorocarbons, a class of synthetic chemicals often used for air-conditioning and refrigeration.
Common Resources — Mar 21, 2024
Feedbacks between Emissions Markets and Political Outcomes: A Case Study of Washington State’s Cap-and-Trade Program
A simple model described here shows feedbacks between emissions markets and policy change: in an upcoming referendum to repeal a cap-and-trade program in Washington, the price of emissions allowances can affect and be affected by potential voter behavior.
Resources Magazine — Jan 11, 2024
How Much Will the Inflation Reduction Act Reduce Emissions?
Maya Domeshek and Nicholas Roy discuss projected reductions in carbon emissions that the Inflation Reduction Act could achieve for the energy sector.
In Focus — Dec 19, 2023
In Focus: The US Environmental Protection Agency’s New Social Cost of Carbon
This video shares insights about the new estimate of the social cost of carbon that was recently published by the US Environmental Protection Agency, with RFF Fellow Brian C. Prest.
Media Highlight — Feb 22, 2024
Issues in Science and Technology: “Lessons from a Decade of Philanthropy for Interdisciplinary Energy Research”
A reflection on research funding discusses the far-reaching impacts of a grant on RFF's social cost of carbon work.
Media Highlight — Jan 12, 2024
New York Times: “The Price of Carbon Emissions Plunged in 2022, and That‘s Not Good”
A column about new data on carbon prices references important RFF research on the social cost of carbon and quotes former board member Robert Litterman.
Media Highlight — Jan 11, 2024
POLITICO/E&E News: “4 Things to Know about EPA‘s New Climate Damage Metric”
An article in E&E News and POLITICO‘s Power Switch newsletter quote RFF Fellow Brian Prest.
Media Highlight — Dec 5, 2023
The Hill: “EPA Lays Groundwork for Stronger Climate Rules”
RFF Fellow Brian Prest offers his thoughts on the US Environmental Protection Agency‘s updated social cost of carbon estimate.
