SIPA: School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University

The Energy and Environment Concentration provides students with the analytical tools and
substantive knowledge to address the key economic and environmental challenges in the world today, and to pursue leadership careers in the fields of energy and environment in the public, private, or nonprofit sectors.

The International Energy Management and Policy Track provides a thorough understanding ofenergy industry fundamentals, including the structure and operation of international energy
systems and the business organizations, markets, and governance structures involved in
producing, transporting, and marketing energy products. It attracts students interested in the
economic, environmental, and social policies applicable to energy development and consumption; political and strategic issues arising from the unequal distribution of global energy resources; and the impact of technological change on the future role of energy in the global economy. Students in the International Energy Management and Policy Track are well connected to the energy industry through internships, study tours, and capstone workshops.

The Sustainable Energy Policy Track is designed for students interested in renewable energy,
energy efficiency, and the relationship of energy to sustainable economic development. The
curriculum provides a thorough understanding of the challenges in implementing and formulating
national and international policies that are aimed at ensuring a sustainable energy future, with a
particular focus on policies and practices that support smaller-scale energy production. This track was created in 2010 in response to student interest in a more rigorous approach to sustainable energy and development.

The Environmental Policy and Management Track is designed for students interested in national and international environmental policy, law, economics, journalism, and business. This interdisciplinary program provides a rigorous academic background and practical experience in environmental policy. In classes and outside activities, Environmental Policy and Management students mingle with future environmental professionals pursuing degrees in business, conservation biology, earth and environmental engineering, law, and Columbia’s innovative program in environmental journalism.

Capstone Workshop

Each track has a workshop requirement that provides students with the opportunity to apply what they have learned from their course work, internships, and prior work experience to real-world consulting engagements. This hands-on learning in the last semester at SIPA allows students to work with clients from public, private, and nonprofit sectors to tackle challenging problems and build their professional network. Previous workshops have covered electricity sector restructuring, calculating the sustainable return on investment on climate-change initiatives, delivering modern energy to underserved populations in developing countries, and identifying “best practice” energy efficiency strategies for Chinese cities.

Past Employers of Graduates

The Energy and Environment Concentration provides students with:

Booz Allen Hamilton CERA Chevron Clipper Windpower Con Edison Conservation International EcoSecurities Environmental Defense Fund Evolution Markets ExxonMobil ICF International IHS Innovest Strategic Value Advisors Inter-American Development Bank JPMorgan Chase London Economics International Louis Berger Group Natsource NYC Office of Management and Budget PIRA Energy Group PSEG Rainforest Alliance United Nations Development Programme U.S. Department of Energy U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Wood Mackenzie World Bank World Wildlife Fund

•multidisciplinary understanding of the economic, financial, political, technological, and scientific aspects of current energy and environmental issues • strong quantitative, analytical, writing, and management skills • experience working with clients to formulate energy and environmental policy and management decisions through applied projects, internships, and workshops • key skills in cost-benefit analysis, environmental management, economics, and finance • understanding of the technologies, institutions, and quantitative methodologies of energy business and policy development • multicultural interaction, teamwork, and collaboration within an international context

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