Jiehong Lou

Jiehong Lou is an Assistant Research Professor and Assistant Research Director at the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) within the University of Maryland School of Public Policy. Her expertise spans climate finance, energy economics, environmental policy, and transportation equity. She holds a PhD in policy sciences from the University of Maryland, with additional degrees in public policy and applied economics from the same institution, and a BA in public policy from Tongji University in China.

Her research focuses on mobilizing private climate finance, corporate motivations for carbon investments, evaluating co-benefits of climate projects, and analyzing disparities in transportation and energy accessibility. She previously served as a postdoctoral fellow with the Maryland Transportation Institute. Her work often integrates interdisciplinary approaches, combining economic modeling with policy analysis to address global sustainability challenges.

Lou has contributed to high-ambition climate pathways for countries like Indonesia, South Korea, and China, emphasizing equitable transitions and policy reforms. She co-authored studies on EV infrastructure equity, coal phaseout strategies, and the socioeconomic impacts of energy policies. Her recent projects include analyzing renewable energy investment needs in China and Indonesia’s decarbonization pathways.

Lou collaborates with international organizations and policymakers, bridging academic research with practical climate solutions. Her work is published in journals like npj Climate Action and peer-reviewed energy policy outlets, with a focus on actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders.