Jae Edmonds

Jae Edmonds is a distinguished Professor at the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy and a Lab Fellow and Economist at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, a collaboration between the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the University of Maryland. As Chief Scientist and Battelle Fellow at PNNL, he has established himself as one of the pioneers in integrated assessment modeling of global change. His four-decade career has produced numerous books, scientific papers, and presentations, with over 26,000 Google Scholar citations.

Dr. Edmonds earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from Duke University and his B.A. in Economics from Kalamazoo College. His academic journey has positioned him at the forefront of climate change research and policy analysis.

Edmonds' research focuses on the complex interactions between global and regional energy, technology, economy, land, water, atmosphere, and climate systems. He has been instrumental in developing integrated assessment models that help understand climate change impacts and mitigation strategies. In 1978, he began what would become the Global Change Assessment Model, a frontier-class integrated model for analyzing energy, economy, water, land, and climate interactions. His work spans four decades and has significantly influenced international climate policy discussions, including active participation in all major assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

An analysis of Dr. Edmonds' recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a strong focus on net-zero emissions pathways, carbon management technologies, and sector-specific decarbonization strategies. His work examines energy system transitions, with particular attention to industrial sectors like steel, pulp and paper, and food processing. There is also significant emphasis on the water-energy nexus, residential energy demand patterns, and the role of terrestrial carbon sinks in climate mitigation. His research consistently bridges the gap between scientific analysis and practical policy implementation, providing actionable insights for policymakers.

• Cosmos Club Member, 2003-present
• Chester L. Cooper Award for Mentoring, PNNL, 2006
• Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
• Director's Award for Outstanding Performance, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 2002
• Distinguished Service Award, U.S. State Department, 2001
• BER50 Award in recognition of research accomplishments, United States Department of Energy, 1997
• Director's Award for Research Group Performance, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 1993
• Scientific Book Of The Year for "A Primer on Greenhouse Gases" with Don Wuebbles, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 1991

As a mentor and leader in his field, Dr. Edmonds has guided numerous researchers through his work at the Joint Global Change Research Institute. His projects have secured significant funding from various government agencies, particularly the Department of Energy, supporting cutting-edge research in climate modeling and policy analysis. His collaborative approach has fostered interdisciplinary teams spanning economics, environmental science, engineering, and policy analysis.

Dr. Edmonds leads research teams at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, where he oversees projects related to integrated assessment modeling, climate policy analysis, and energy system transitions. His work involves close collaboration with researchers across Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the University of Maryland, creating a vibrant intellectual environment focused on addressing the most pressing challenges of climate change.