Joel Jaeger

Research Associate

Bio

Joel Jaeger is a Research Associate in the Climate Program. He leads WRI’s global research on building back better from COVID-19 including tracking green stimulus, evaluating the economic benefits of sustainable recovery policies, and analyzing the lessons learned from green stimulus in 2008-2009. He co-led research on America’s New Climate Economy, publishing a comprehensive guide to the economic benefits of climate policy in the United States, and managed the writing team of the America’s Pledge 2019 report on the emissions impact of US state policy on climate change.

Joel previously worked in communications for WRI's New Climate Economy project, contributing to the 2016 and 2018 New Climate Economy reports. During his studies at Johns Hopkins, he supported U.S. climate negotiators in the U.S. Department of State's Office of Global Change and did research on climate policy and electric vehicles for the Edison Electric Institute, the trade association of U.S. electric utilities. He has also worked as a journalist for the Inter Press Service at the United Nations headquarters and interned at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Joel holds a B.A. in Political Science from St. Olaf College and an M.A. in Energy, Resources, and Environment from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.

Blogs

Nigeria Moves Toward a Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery
by Anthony Nyong , Manish Bapna, Joel Jaeger and Ella Clarke - January 14, 2021
Nigeria, the largest oil and gas producer in Africa, is taking steps toward a sustainable economic recovery. The nation's stimulus package can tackle both climate change and COVID-19 simultaneously, offering the world an example of what stimulus packages can do when used smartly and strategically.
Lessons from the Great Recession for COVID-19 Green Recovery
by Joel Jaeger - November 24, 2020
To enhance green stimulus and help deliver the jobs and income economies need for coronavirus recovery, governments should learn from the Great Recession.
Not Enough Climate Action in Stimulus Plans
by Yamide Dagnet and Joel Jaeger - September 15, 2020
While the amount of climate-friendly stimulus spending leaves much to be desired, some countries are making strides toward greening their economic recovery.
Ranking 41 US States Decoupling Emissions and GDP Growth
by Devashree Saha and Joel Jaeger - July 28, 2020
In the United States, over four-fifths of states are debunking the myth that slashing greenhouse gas emissions comes at the expense of economic growth.
10 Charts Show the Economic Benefits of US Climate Action
by Joel Jaeger and Devashree Saha - July 28, 2020
Advancing U.S. climate action will spur economic growth, create jobs, reduce costs for Americans and help fight the effects of climate change.
Europe Charts a Course for Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19
by Joel Jaeger - June 02, 2020
The European Union's $826 billion plan to respond to the coronavirus crisis includes more than $200 billion for climate friendly measures like building renovation, clean energy technology, low-carbon vehicles and sustainable land use.
How Korea is Winning the Fight Against COVID-19 While Ramping Up Climate Ambition
by Joel Jaeger - April 30, 2020
The Republic of Korea has an opportunity to effectively address the COVID-19 crisis, while also becoming a climate leader.
Accelerating America's Pledge: How U.S. States, Cities and Businesses Can Deliver Ambitious Climate Action
by Tom Cyrs, Joel Jaeger and Kevin Kennedy - December 09, 2019
A new report finds that U.S. states, cities and businesses are already on pace to reduce emissions 25% below 2005 levels by 2030, and could cut emissions further just by scaling up existing actions.
12 Reasons Climate Action Is Good for the United States Economy
by Joel Jaeger and Devashree Saha - November 25, 2019
We already know that the United States can grow its economy while reducing emissions. From cheaper electricity and cleaner air to rural revival and competitive edges, here's how climate action can boost jobs and productivity across the country.
As Trump Steps Away from Paris Climate Agreement, U.S. States, Cities and Businesses Step Up
by Joel Jaeger, Tom Cyrs and Kevin Kennedy - October 23, 2019
U.S. states, cities and businesses are an essential part of the response to the global climate crisis – and their role is ever more crucial as the Trump administration moves to pull the United States from the historic Paris Agreement.

Commentaries

NDC Enhancement and COVID-19 Recovery: Building Blocks for a Sustainable Future

September 23, 2020

External Publications

"Fusing subnational with national climate action is central to decarbonization: the case of the United States."
By Altimirano J. C., Jaeger Joel, Hultman Nathan E., Clarke Leon, Frisch Carla, Kennedy Kevin, McJeon Haewon, Cyrs Tom, Hansel Pete, Bodnar Paul, Manion Michelle, Edwards Morgan R., Cui Ryna, Bowman Christina, Lund Jessie, Westphal Michael I., Clapper Andrew, Sen Arijit, Lou Jiehong, Saha Devashree, Jaglom Wendy, Calhoun Koben, Igusky Kristin, deWeese James, Hammoud Kareem, Dennis Margaret, Henderson Chris, Zwicker Gill, O’Neill John.
Nature Communications 11 (2020): 5255 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18903-w.

"Shades of darkness or light? A systematic review of geographic bias in impact evaluations of electricity access."
By Jaeger Joel, Hamburger David, Bayer Patrick, Kennedy Ryan, Yang Joonseok, Urpelainen Johannes.
Energy Research & Social Science 58 (2019): 101236 DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2019.101236.

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Joel Jaeger

Nigeria Moves Toward a Sustainable COVID-19 Recovery

Lessons from the Great Recession for COVID-19 Green Recovery

Not Enough Climate Action in Stimulus Plans

Ranking 41 US States Decoupling Emissions and GDP Growth

10 Charts Show the Economic Benefits of US Climate Action

Europe Charts a Course for Sustainable Recovery from COVID-19

How Korea is Winning the Fight Against COVID-19 While Ramping Up Climate Ambition

Accelerating America's Pledge: How U.S. States, Cities and Businesses Can Deliver Ambitious Climate Action

12 Reasons Climate Action Is Good for the United States Economy

As Trump Steps Away from Paris Climate Agreement, U.S. States, Cities and Businesses Step Up

NDC Enhancement and COVID-19 Recovery: Building Blocks for a Sustainable Future

Lessons Learned on Green Stimulus: Case Studies from the Global Financial Crisis

America’s New Climate Economy: A Comprehensive Guide to the Economic Benefits of Climate Policy in the United States

Fact Sheet: Clean Energy Job Growth in The United States

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