Status: Published
Citation: Bistline, et al. (2025), “Policy Implications of Net-Zero Emissions: A Multi-Model Analysis of United States Emissions and Energy System Impacts.” Energy and Climate Change 6: 100191.
This paper evaluates the environmental, energy system, and fiscal implications of achieving economy-wide net-zero CO2 emissions across the United States by 2050. Using results from the Energy Modeling Forum (EMF) 37 study, which harmonizes scenarios across 14 U.S. energy-economic models, the analysis identifies robust findings and uncertainties across model structures, technology assumptions, and policy representations.
Results indicate that achieving net-zero emissions includes rapid deployment of zero- and low-emitting technologies, including wind, solar, energy storage, electric vehicles, carbon capture and storage, and advanced nuclear, alongside continued efficiency gains and electrification. While the Inflation Reduction Act can accelerate near-term decarbonization, reaching net-zero depends on broader long-run policies and innovation. The study also highlights that net-zero policies could reduce fossil fuel use (particularly coal and petroleum), lower energy expenditures as a share of GDP relative to today, and have significant fiscal implications. It also identifies research needs on industrial decarbonization, carbon removal options, regional differences, and macroeconomic interactions.
Link to Journal Publication: Policy implications of net-zero emissions: A multi-model analysis of United States emissions and energy system impacts - ScienceDirect