Eller Partnerships Office Launches Consortium for Environmentally Resilient Business
Consortium for Environmentally Resilient Business, a thought-leadership hub uniting experts in environmental economics, sustainable business practices, and energy consumption, officially launched on February 9. The consortium is led by co-directors Ashley Langer, associate professor of economics, and Derek Lemoine, professor of economics—experts in climate change economics and environmental and energy policy. They are joined by affiliated scholars from the University of Arizona, the University of Texas at Austin, Ohio State University, and Cornell University, providing the academic and business community with enhanced capability in the field.
In her opening statement, Langer noted: “Until 10-15 years ago, economists thought of climate change as kind of something for the future. But climate change is already here, so now we should be able to use data to figure out what climate change is already doing in Arizona and the United States.”
Focusing on climate change challenges for businesses and, specifically, the utility industry, CERB aims to bring together key players to address common challenges and explore new opportunities. The Consortium partners are leading utility providers in Arizona and California: San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Tucson Electric Power (TEP), and Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E).
Key Consortium Goals:
- Investigate the economic consequences of a shifting climate, as well as the response of businesses and policymakers.
- Examine the impact on energy and water consumption.
- Advancing of renewable energy solutions.
- Studying influences on financial markets.
- Analyzing effects on transportation systems.
- Considerations for investing in robust infrastructure.
CERB will produce technical manuscripts and policy papers authored by CERB faculty, students, and affiliated scholars, offering a platform to share innovative research with business leaders and policymakers. The consortium aims to stimulate important conversations about the impact of climate change on the economy within academic, business, and policy communities.
“How do we gain certainty that the utilities, including ourselves, are doing the right stuff from the standpoint of the regulator and the policymaker? That’s the big issue. That I’m really interested in bringing research to bear to help us solve because it cascades into a variety of our different solutions.” – Michael M. Schneider, SDG&E