Climate Action Learning Lab bridges research and policy for effective climate solutions

The Climate Action Learning Lab, a program by J-PAL North America, brings together 17 climate leaders from government agencies and nonprofits to bridge research and policy for effective climate solutions. This second cohort, launched this spring, consists of representatives from the City of Boston, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, and the Electrification Coalition.

Over four months, participants engaged in programming to enhance their skills in generating evidence, applying research insights to programs, and identifying policy-relevant interventions for evaluation.

The Climate Action Learning Lab emerged in 2025 to address the urgent need for rigorous research on programs that improve resilience to climate-related hazards and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. By identifying interventions and developing evaluation plans, the Learning Lab aims to generate evidence on which approaches are most effective and equitable.

Peter Christensen, scientific advisor of J-PAL North America Environment, Energy, and Climate Change Sector, emphasizes the importance of embedding rigorous evaluation into ongoing programs to accurately measure impacts on emissions reductions.

Following last year’s successful cohort, which led to research collaborations and two randomized evaluations, J-PAL North America recruited a second group of leaders. This year’s cohort participated in training on impact evaluation, formulating research questions, and assessing the generalizability of existing evidence to their contexts. They also explored J-PAL resources, such as the Climate Action Evidence Review, which highlights research gaps and opportunities for new studies.

Throughout the Learning Lab, city officials explored evaluation plans for programs like Boston Energy Saver, which aims to reduce energy costs and increase energy efficiency among small businesses. Participants received personalized strategy sessions and advice from J-PAL researchers on which programs to prioritize based on feasibility and evidence gaps.

Hawaii’s climate change mitigation and adaptation coordinator, Leah Laramee, noted that the program helped the team catalog projects, identify evaluation-ready initiatives, and prioritize them.

During a virtual summit in August, participants presented their priority research questions and evaluation plans to receive feedback from researchers and peers. This exchange highlighted progress and discussed next steps for advancing evaluation plans. Ashley Blackwell, deputy director at the Electrification Coalition, emphasized that the Learning Lab has provided the team with a foundation to critically assess programming and inform future policies and programs.

Although the formal Learning Lab concluded, J-PAL North America will continue supporting organizations through partnerships with researchers and funding opportunities. The cohort will join J-PAL North America’s Climate Action Community of Practice, collaborating with other Climate Action Learning Lab participants to exchange ideas and explore evidence-informed strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation.