In this talk, Dr. Ron Chan will address challenges and opportunities in the clean energy transition from an economics perspective. Specifically, he will address the labor market implications of shifting from coal to renewable energy sources, drawing on recent empirical evidence in economics, as well as the role of policy in supporting the decarbonization of the electricity grid. By examining both the current state of research and the existing gaps, the talk will underscore the vital contribution of economic analyses in understanding the clean energy transition, while also acknowledging the need for a broader, more integrated approach that encompasses various fields of study.

Dr. Chan is an associate professor in environmental economics at the University of Manchester, UK. His research interests span the areas of air pollution, climate policy and the electricity market. He is currently a Visiting Faculty Fellow at Carnegie Mellon University at the Scott Institute for Energy Innovation. He earned his PhD from the University of Maryland and also holds a master’s degree in economics from the University of British Columbia and a B.Sc. in economics and finance from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.