EPIC

Throughout history, access to energy has been critical for economic growth. This trend is expected to continue in the years to come—global energy demand is set to grow by almost 40 percent over the next two decades. All of this growth will occur in emerging economies, where 1.4 billion people currently lack access to reliable electricity, and nearly half of it will occur in China and India alone.

Yet for all of its benefits, today’s energy system comes with significant social costs. A changing climate is beginning to affect our lives in profound ways. High pollution levels are shortening lifespans, especially in emerging economies. And all of these impacts can hold back economic progress, often in areas where people are living on incomes that are too low.

This is the global energy challenge: How can we ensure that people around the world, today and in the future, have access to reliable, affordable energy needed for human development without putting our health, environment and climate at risk?

EPIC is confronting this challenge using a cross-cutting approach that links the University of Chicago’s renowned economists with leading thinkers in policy and law, business, big data, engineering and natural and physical sciences throughout the University and at partner institutes such as the Marine Biological Lab and Argonne National Lab. By leveraging these University partners and harnessing top talent with varied expertise, EPIC is tackling the world’s toughest energy problems. At the same time, the Institute is working directly with global leaders to help them make important decisions about our future, while also educating and mentoring the energy leaders of tomorrow.

Associated Working Papers

BFI Working Paper Jan 18, 2023

Internalizing Externalities: Disclosure Regulation for Hydraulic Fracturing, Drilling Activity and Water Quality

Pietro Bonetti, Christian Leuz, Giovanna Michelon
Topics:  Energy & Environment
BFI Working Paper Jan 5, 2023

The Social Costs of Keystone Species Collapse: Evidence From The Decline of Vultures in India

Eyal Frank, Anant Sudarshan
Topics:  Energy & Environment
BFI Working Paper Nov 30, 2022

Man vs. Machine: Technological Promise and Political Limits of Automated Regulation Enforcement

Oliver R. Browne, Ludovica Gazze, Michael Greenstone, Olga Rostapshova
Topics:  Energy & Environment

Associated News

Media Mention Mar 17, 2023

Here are the most polluted cities in the U.S. and world

CNBC; Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago
Media Mention Feb 2, 2023

Long-term exposure to pollution linked to depression, study finds

Washington Post; Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC)