Re-Run: The Economics of the Energy Transition

This podcast features an interview with Cameron Hepburn, an environmental economics professor, discussing the economics of the energy transition to net-zero. The conversation covers the impact of geopolitical events (like the war in Ukraine) on the transition, the role of capitalism and market forces in accelerating clean energy adoption, and the challenges and opportunities presented by carbon removal technologies. Hepburn argues that while a rapid transition to clean energy will initially involve some costs, it ultimately offers significant economic benefits in the long run, and that a combination of carbon pricing and targeted government interventions are necessary to achieve net-zero goals. He emphasizes the importance of long-term investment and the need for policies that are robust to self-interest and promote competition.