Jason Ye is the Director for U.S. Policy and Outreach at the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), where he researches, analyzes, and develops strategies and solutions for climate change and energy issues. Since joining C2ES, Mr. Ye works in the intersecting areas of policy, markets and business, and technology. His current responsibilities include developing and advancing U.S. climate policies, overseeing critical-path technology working groups to scale emerging technologies, and leading a new programmatic area on climate aligned trade.
Before joining C2ES, Mr. Ye led a practicum project as part of a graduate consulting team for the World Wildlife Fund’s China for SHIFT campaign aimed at identifying, assessing, and developing business and market-based sustainability initiatives to help reduce China’s carbon footprint and preserve biodiversity in key areas.
Mr. Ye has a M.A. in international relations and international economics — concentrating in energy, resources, and the environment — from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a B.A. in political science and history from the University of California, San Diego.
There are various market-based approaches to pricing carbon (e.g., carbon tax, cap and trade, clean energy standard). All of these approaches can reduce emissions cost-effectively while driving clean energy innovation. This factsheet compares two carbon tax proposals introduced in the …
Carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAM) are an emerging set of trade policy tools that aim to prevent carbon-intensive economic activity from moving out of jurisdictions with relatively stringent climate policies and into those with relatively less stringent policies. Border adjustments …
Carbon border adjustments, also referred to as “carbon border adjustment mechanisms” (CBAM), are an emerging set of trade policy tools that aim to prevent carbon-intensive economic activity from moving out of jurisdictions with relatively stringent climate policies and into those …
Carbon pricing offers a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Fourteen states are already pricing carbon, and a number of states are considering similar action. This factsheet summarizes and compares nine federal carbon pricing proposals that have been introduced …
Brad Townsend, Mahmoud Abouelnaga, Stephanie Gagnon Rodriguez, Laura Brush, Verena Radulovic, Maddie Lee, Christina Cilento, Nat Keohane, Chris Kardish, Jason Ye, Doug Vine
December 9, 2021
Digital technologies—such as sensors, networked devices, and data analytics—are already changing how energy is used and consumed across the economy. As digitalization expands, it is creating new opportunities to optimize energy use and decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Opportunities in key …
The idea of a national climate bank has gained renewed attention. Congress last seriously considered a climate bank proposal in 2009 that would create the Clean Energy Development Administration (CEDA), with key functions based on the green bank model. Since …
There are various market-based approaches to pricing carbon (e.g. carbon tax, cap and trade, and a clean energy standard). All of these can reduce emissions cost-effectively while driving clean energy innovation. This factsheet compares eleven carbon tax and cap-and-dividend proposals …
Climate change poses a significant risk for a broad range of human and natural systems. Policies to reduce emissions are critical if we are to avoid the most costly damages associated with a rapidly changing climate. Compared to traditional command-and-control …
This report outlines a comprehensive agenda for decarbonizing the U.S. economy by 2050, with an emphasis on priority actions needed over the coming decade. This agenda was developed in close consultation with leading companies in key sectors through the Center …
Carbon pricing offers a cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Ten states are already pricing carbon, and a number of states are considering similar action. This fact sheet summarizes and compares nine carbon pricing proposals introduced in the 115th …
This is one in a series of briefs prepared as part of C2ES’s Climate Innovation 2050 initiative, which brings together leading companies to examine potential pathways toward substantially decarbonizing the U.S. economy. Other briefs focus on Agriculture & Forestry, Buildings, …
Almost all carbon dioxide emissions in the electricity sector are produced by power plants burning fossil fuels. In 2016, the electricity sector was the fourth-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. Coal-fired power plants accounted for nearly three-quarters of …
Canada has one of the cleanest electricity systems in the world. In 2016, about 80 percent of Canada’s electricity came from zero-emitting sources like conventional hydropower, wind, solar, and nuclear. Canada has set a goal of increasing the share of …
A greenhouse gas emissions target refers to the emission reduction levels that provinces set out to achieve by a specified time. Under the Paris Agreement, Canada pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Provinces, …
All provinces have completed comprehensive climate action plans. The plans detail steps that provinces intend to take to reduce their contribution to climate change and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate. The process of developing a climate action …
Compared to command-and-control regulations, carbon pricing is a market-based mechanism that creates financial incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, making the reductions cost effective. Three Canadian provinces that are home to about 48 percent of Canada’s population and accounting for …
On July 26, 2017, California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bipartisan bill that extends the state’s cap-and-trade program to 2030. Cap and trade is a key part of California’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent below …
Energy efficiency programs offer an effective way to reduce energy consumption and address energy burden. These programs are particularly beneficial to low-income households, which spend a higher percentage of their income on energy bills. There are many energy efficiency programs …
As parties to the Montreal Protocol consider an amendment to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), one critical concern is the availability of zero- or low-global warming potential (low-GWP) alternatives to replace high-global warming potential (GWP) HFCs. While much of the attention …
This brief explores myths and facts about intellectual property rights as they are covered in the Montreal Protocol, an agreement to limit high global warming potential (GWP) gases.
Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer are considering actions to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) because of their contributions to climate change. One important issue raised by Article 5 Parties is the concern that patents on …
With negotiations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) considering limits on hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as potent greenhouse gases, this paper examines past transitions during the relatively short, but dynamic history of this international treaty. …
On February 9, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order staying the Clean Power Plan while litigation proceeds on the legal merits of the rule. No deadlines or other compliance obligations may be enforced while the stay is in …
Energy efficiency is a critical component of the proposed Clean Power Plan. It offers states a least-cost pathway for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. A C2ES Solutions Forum held May 18, 2015, brought together city, state, and …
Energy efficiency is a critical component of the proposed Clean Power Plan. It offers states a least-cost pathway for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector. This factsheet provides an overview of the potential contributions from information and communications …
States will have tremendous flexibility to choose how to reduce carbon emissions under the Clean Power Plan. One idea states are exploring is putting a price on carbon. The first C2ES Solutions Forum — held on April 15, 2015 — …
Climate change poses a significant risk for a broad range of human and natural systems. Policies to reduce emissions are critical if we are to avoid the most costly damages associated with a rapidly changing climate. Compared to traditional command-and-control …
This report was prepared for the PMR Secretariat by Janet Peace, Tim Juliani, Anthony Mansell, and Jason Ye (Center for Climate and Energy Solutions—C2ES), with input and supervision from Pierre Guigon and Sarah Moyer (PMR Secretariat). This report examines how …
Six proposals to put a price on carbon were introduced in the 113th Congress (2013-2014). Five would establish a carbon tax (also called a “carbon pollution fee”) and one would establish a cap-and-dividend program (a cap-and-trade program that would rebate …
The Washington State Legislature is interested in exploring government’s role in fostering new business models that will expand the private sector commercialization of electric vehicle (EV) charging services. This paper provides an assessment of the existing EV publicly available charging …
Introduction Section 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the Expanding Carbon Capture through Enhanced Oil Recovery Act of 2014. Section 2. Expansion of Tax Credit for Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide. The legislation is intended …
By any measure, the federal government has an enormous impact on the economy and the environment. Federal agencies: Own or operate 660,000 vehicles; Own or manage approximately 400,000 buildings; and Employ 1.8 million workers. The federal government also paid over …
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. The short title of this bill is the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013. Sec. 2. Definition of Secretary. “Secretary,” for purposes of this act, is defined as the Secretary of …
Greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced most cost-effectively through market-based approaches that put a price on carbon. The two most commonly discussed approaches are a cap-and-trade system and a carbon tax. By establishing a price for greenhouse gas emissions, either …
The Climate Protection Act would impose a “carbon pollution fee” on any manufacturer, producer, or importer of a “carbon polluting substance.” (Imports from countries with equivalent carbon measures would be exempt.) The sponsors anticipate that the fee would be paid …
As the nation’s largest landlord, fleet operator, and purchaser of goods and services, the federal government has the opportunity, if not the responsibility, to lead by example in moving our country in a more sustainable direction. Recent initiatives across the …
This voter guide outlines the records and positions of President Barack Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney on key climate and energy issues. A side-by-side summary at the top links to more details below. The nonpartisan guide is based on …
This document summarizes the Clean Energy Standard Act of 2012 of the 112th Congress, as introduced by Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) on March 1, 2012. Sec. 1. Short Title. This Act may be cited as the “Clean Energy Standard Act …