Policy Design
In order to urgently address the problem of climate change, we must design innovative policies that shake entrenched habits and move us toward a sustainable future. With an emphasis on energy policy design, and a combined understanding of the laws and technologies that influence it, we have the tools for designing effective policies that accelerate the energy transition—locally, nationally, and internationally.
Our center is committed to providing the latest research and recommendations to inform policymakers and other leaders in their efforts to ignite the adoption of renewable energy sources, enhance energy efficiency, and promote the development of low-carbon technologies.
Faculty Leadership
Sanya Carley
Mark Alan Hughes Faculty DirectorSanya Carley is the Mark Alan Hughes Faculty Director of the Kleinman Center and Presidential Distinguished Professor of Energy Policy and City Planning at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.
Energy Justice Lab
The Energy Justice Lab is a research collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania and Indiana University (IU), co-directed by David Konisky of IU and Sanya Carley, faculty director of the Kleinman Center. The Lab’s mission is to explore, measure, and improve the equity and justice dimensions of society’s ongoing energy transition.
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Recent Work
Elevating Carbon Management: A Policy Decision-Making Framework and Rubric for the 21st Century
The digest outlines a 10-point policy framework to guide effective carbon management, emphasizing clear economic incentives, environmental safeguards, community engagement, and fossil fuel decoupling, using U.S. policy examples from 2025.
Energy Insecurity During the Time of COVID
Millions of Americans struggle to pay their energy bills and avoid being disconnected from their energy services. This digest evaluates the incidence and implications of such for low-income families during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.
