Professor Daniel M. Kammen is a leading academic at the University of California, Berkeley , where he holds appointments across the Energy and Resources Group , the Goldman School of Public Policy , and the Department of Nuclear Engineering . As founding director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL) and co-Director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment , he bridges technical innovation with policy analysis to address global energy challenges. His research focuses on climate change mitigation, renewable energy systems, energy poverty, and the intersection of health and environmental policy. He has pioneered methods for assessing carbon offset quality, particularly in cookstove projects, and advocates for data-driven energy planning across sectors. Recent publications reveal Kammen's expertise in solar PV economics, urban energy potential, and the IPCC's role in climate action. His work spans techno-economic modeling, policy design, and equity analysis in energy transitions across high-income and low-income contexts. Nobel Peace Prize (2007) as IPCC coordinating lead author Director, Transportation Sustainability Research Center Co-Director, Berkeley Institute of the Environment Founding Director, Renewable and Appropriate Energy Lab Contributor to global energy poverty frameworks Advisor on US-China climate cooperation In media, Kammen has hosted the Discovery Channel's Ecopolis and appeared on 60 Minutes and Nova . His lab, RAEL, emphasizes 'use-inspired basic research' through collaborations with policymakers, industry, and community groups to accelerate the clean energy transition.
