The Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

Balancing the risks of a changing climate with the essential need for human progress.

Through EPIC, we're building on the University’s renowned history of economics to measure the costs of climate change and design the policies and market structures needed to balance the goals of decarbonization and economic growth.

EPIC

Through ETI, a partnership between the Institute and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, we're developing new energy technologies that can replace fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions at scale.

ETI

Through CSEi, we're developing the new field of Climate Systems Engineering to study the approaches and technologies that may be needed to manage the greenhouse gases already in the atmosphere.

CSEI

Chicago Climate and Sustainable Growth Curriculum

Through a cross-cutting education program, the Institute prepares tomorrow's leaders and workforce to see the climate challenge from its many angles and develop an understanding of what is required economically, technically, and politically to confront it.

Global Approach

The University of Chicago stands out as a leader among academic institutions for establishing infrastructure and relationships across Asia, Europe and elsewhere to support research and education. The Institute will build on this foundation to drive impact in India, China, the United States, and other countries central to the global climate and growth challenge.

Michael Greenstone

Founding Director, Institute for Climate and Sustainable Growth

“People around the world aspire for a better life, and inexpensive energy is key to the growth that unlocks it…The reality is that, in many places and settings, the fossil fuels that cause climate change are cheaper than the alternatives—putting the goals of managing climate change and growth in conflict. The Institute’s aim is to find ways to balance these two goals, recognizing that both are critical to our well-being.”

Letter From The Director

John Podesta

Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy, The White House

“The only way we’re going to get people to move from a world based on an energy system that consists of fossil fuels to one that’s built on clean energy and the promise of that is to have sustainable growth models. That’s why this institute is such an important contribution to the analysis of how we build strong economies while we’re decarbonizing the global economy.”

What They're Saying

Paul Dabbar

Former Undersecretary for Science, U.S. Department of Energy

“The only way we’re going to get people to move from a world based on an energy system that consists of fossil fuels to one that’s built on clean energy and the promise of that is to have sustainable growth models. That’s why this institute is such an important contribution to the analysis of how we build strong economies while we’re decarbonizing the global economy.”

What They're Saying

Heidi Heitkamp

Former U.S. Senator (D-ND); Director, UChicago Institute of Politics

“One thing I know coming from a state like North Dakota that is conservative and really has not been that concerned about the climate issue, they’re much more concerned about economics, they’re much more concerned about affordability. To recognize in this institute that it has to balance those two interests and you have to respond to those two questions I think puts the University of Chicago in a very unique position.”

What They're Saying

Latest News

News·Oct 31, 2025

Climate Frontiers 2025 Gives Students Immersive Experience in Climate Careers

Our second flagship event drew more than 300 students for a day of exploration into the climate and energy fields.

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EPIC News·Oct 3, 2025

New Initiative to Help Governments in the Global South Reduce Pollution and Foster Economic Growth

The Emissions Market Accelerator provides a custom-built solution to make emissions markets work anywhere, for any pollutant, by supporting governments from design to full operation.

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