RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment

RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment
Name	RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment
Formation	2016
Type	Research institute
Headquarters	Milan, Italy
Leader title	Director
Leader name	Giovanni Marin
Parent organization	Resources for the Future; Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change

RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment is a transatlantic research institute formed through a collaboration between Resources for the Future and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change to integrate environmental science and policy analysis. The institute conducts applied research on climate change, energy transitions, and natural resource management, producing policy-relevant analysis for European and international decision-makers. It operates at the intersection of climate modeling, environmental economics, and public policy, engaging with stakeholders across the European Union, United States, and international organizations.

History

The institute was established in 2016 as a joint initiative between Resources for the Future and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, building on prior collaborations among institutions such as Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Institut Français du Pétrole, and Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei. Early activities connected to initiatives like the Paris Agreement negotiations, the COP21 process, and projects funded by the European Commission's research programmes. Founding leadership drew on scholars affiliated with Columbia University, Harvard University, London School of Economics, and University of Oxford, aligning climate science from groups like National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Met Office with economic modeling traditions from MIT and Princeton University. Over time the institute developed links to regional programs including the European Green Deal agenda and partnerships with agencies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the World Bank.

Mission and Objectives

The institute's stated mission emphasizes rigorous analysis to inform policy decisions related to climate change mitigation and adaptation, aligning with frameworks like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments and targets in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Objectives include producing peer-reviewed research with collaborators from Max Planck Society, translating models used by European Environment Agency and International Energy Agency into policy inputs, and advising institutions such as the European Commission Directorate-General for Climate Action and the United Nations Development Programme. The institute seeks to bridge science and policy by connecting researchers from Scuola Normale Superiore, Sapienza University of Rome, and Bocconi University with regulators, legislators in the European Parliament, and climate negotiators.

Research Programs

Research programs span integrated assessment modeling, energy system analysis, and land-use and ecosystem services valuation, drawing on tools developed at MIT Energy Initiative, Joint Research Centre (European Commission), and IIASA. The institute runs projects on carbon pricing and emissions trading linked to the EU Emissions Trading System and collaborates on scenario analysis similar to work by the Interdisciplinary Research on Climate and Society networks. Other programs examine adaptation finance, resilience planning, and insurance mechanisms in partnership with actors such as the European Investment Bank, International Monetary Fund, and Green Climate Fund. Cross-cutting themes include technology diffusion studied alongside institutions like International Renewable Energy Agency, sustainable agriculture influenced by Food and Agriculture Organization research, and coastal resilience informed by European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts datasets.

Organizational Structure

The institute is governed by a joint board composed of representatives from Resources for the Future and the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change, with scientific oversight provided by an international advisory council including researchers from Stanford University, Yale University, University of Cambridge, and ETH Zurich. Operational units include research divisions for climate economics, energy systems, and adaptation policy, along with administrative support linked to legal and ethics advisors conversant with regulations from bodies like the European Court of Justice. Staff profiles commonly feature cross-appointments with universities such as Politecnico di Milano and research fellowships anchored in networks like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

Partnerships and Collaborations

Collaborations extend to multilateral institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization on climate-health interactions, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development for policy analysis. The institute partners with academic centers including Imperial College London, Tsinghua University, and Université Paris-Saclay, and engages in consortia with industry stakeholders like Enel and Edison S.p.A. for energy-system research. It participates in European research frameworks including Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe consortia alongside institutions such as CNR and CNRS, and contributes to international data-sharing through initiatives connected to NASA Earth Observatory and the Global Carbon Project.

Funding and Governance

Funding sources combine grants from European institutions like the European Commission, contracts with international organizations such as the World Bank and philanthropic support from foundations including the Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment. Governance mechanisms include transparency and conflict-of-interest policies aligned with standards from OECD guidance and reporting consistent with requirements of the Italian Ministry of University and Research. Financial oversight is maintained by auditors and a supervisory committee with representation from donor organizations such as Fondazione Cariplo and corporate partners, while academic independence is safeguarded by peer-review processes modeled on journals like Nature Climate Change and Environmental Research Letters.

Category:Research institutes in Italy Category:Climate change organizations