Ph.D. candidate Stefan Pauer is a climate policy professional with several years of experience in policy analysis and development. His interdisciplinary research draws on political science and economics as well as law, with a strong focus on producing research that is useful for practitioners involved in policy-making. Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked as a Policy Officer at the European Commission on the European Union’s cap-and-trade system, which forms the cornerstone of the EU’s policy to combat climate change.
In his research, Stefan investigates a particular climate policy tool that many experts consider to be among the most promising options to make much-needed progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions: border tax adjustments, also known as carbon tariffs.
In fact, a growing number of scholars, business leaders and environmentalists have recommended border tax adjustments to support domestic climate policies. These measures can extend climate or other environmental policies beyond the domestic domain. They offer the promise of environmental, economic and political benefits.
However, despite growing political support and potentially substantial benefits, border tax adjustments are conspicuously absent in practice. Although more and more carbon pricing policies are adopted throughout the world, very few examples of border tax adjustments exist and so far none have been implemented at a general scale in any jurisdiction.
To date no study has subjected this puzzle to a specific and empirical analysis that focuses on actual decisions taken by policy-makers on the ground. Stefan’s research seeks to understand the conditions under which governments adopt these measures by comparing the experience of different jurisdictions around the world.
Stefan’s research will help identify why, despite advice from academics, policy-makers are reluctant to adopt border tax adjustments. With that knowledge, it may be possible to identify opportunities for policy change, in collaboration with policy-makers. Throughout his research, Stefan interviews policy-makers and stakeholders in business, industry, and the environmental community, follows this up by sharing his research results, and seeks out opportunities for knowledge translation to a broader practitioner audience.
Stefan has received numerous scholarships, grants, and awards. The organizations supporting his research include the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions, the Economics and Environmental Policy Research Network, the UBC Public Scholars Initiative, and the Allard School of Law at UBC. Most recently, Stefan was awarded a scholarship from the Centre for International Governance Innovation, which includes a period of residency at the organization’s offices in Waterloo, Ontario.
Building on his research to advance effective climate policy, Stefan is pursuing a non-academic career. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he aims to continue focusing on climate policy analysis and development, possibly as part of a think tank or in government administration.
