Data-Driven Research to Improve Global Sustainability

Proposal Description:

The Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy, a joint undertaking between Yale Law School and the Yale School of the Environment, welcomes applicants who are enthusiastic about informing environmental policy with data-driven analyses. As demonstrated by recent environmental policies like the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Climate Agreement, and the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, governments are increasingly being asked to validate their environmental performance with data. Research assistants will work with Professor Daniel Esty, director of the Center and an internationally-renowned environmental policy expert, to advance research on environmental metrics, green corporate strategy, and sustainable development. Researchers will support a flagship project of our Center – the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The EPI is a biennial analysis that ranks 180 countries on 32 environmental issues like climate change, environmental health, and biodiversity. These indicators track trends in environmental performance and provide scorecards on how close countries are to meeting established environmental targets. Our transparent and robust analyses provide practical guidance for countries that aspire to move toward a sustainable future.

Specifically, researchers will work with Professor Esty, Dr. Martin Wolf, and Tyler Yeargain to develop new metrics that quantify global trends in critical environmental issues like climate change, air pollution, biodiversity, and marine plastics. Depending on the research assistant’s interests and background, possible research tasks include:
• Geospatial and statistical analyses of global and subnational data;
• Exploration of the racial inequities of environmental degradation;
• Ranking countries based on environmental impacts and performance;
• Performing literature reviews and assisting in writing manuscripts on issues relating to sustainable development; and
• Assistance with other tasks and duties to further the Center’s research agenda.

Requisite Skills and Qualifications:

Applicants should have excellent writing skills, strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and interests in sustainable development and data-driven environmental policy. These positions require flexibility to rapidly research and produce written deliverables in support of the Center’s research agenda. Ideally, candidates will have some experience performing independent research in environmental science, policy, or economics.

To apply, please submit a resume or CV and a brief (under 300 words) statement on how this position matches your experience and professional development goals to Dr. Martin Wolf (martin.wolf@yale.edu).