Elena Verdolini

Elena Verdolini is a Senior Scientist at the European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE) and a Professor in Political Economy at the Department of Law, University of Brescia. She serves as Principal Investigator for the European Research Council-funded project "Disruptive Digitalization for Decarbonization" (2D4D).

• PhD in Economics and Finance of the Public Administration, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan
• Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in International Studies, University of Washington, Seattle
• Degree in Political Science, University of Pavia

Her research focuses on applied analysis of innovation dynamics, technology transfer, and the economic/social impacts of environmental and energy policies. Within the 2D4D project, she investigates the energy and socio-economic implications of digital technologies in hard-to-decarbonize sectors (Industry, Transport, Buildings), emphasizing demand-side solutions for sustainable development. She contributes to climate policy frameworks through projects like INNOPATHS, CD-LINKS, and ENTRACTE.

Verdolini is a Lead Author of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report (Working Group III). Her methodological expertise includes robust multivariate analysis for mixed-type socio-economic data and measuring environmental policy stringency. Her work explores trade-offs in decarbonization policy instruments and the role of social innovation in low-energy demand futures.

She is affiliated with the CMCC Foundation and collaborates with international institutions on climate change research.