Maia Sparkman

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Articles

Tripling global nuclear energy capacity is in reach-if the world seizes the moment

Jan 15, 2025 | atlanticcouncil.org | Jennifer Gordon |Lauren Hughes |Maia Sparkman |Landon Derentz

In December 2023 at COP28 in Dubai, 22 countries and more than 120 companies pledged to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to support the goal of reaching net-zero emissions. The declaration reflects a growing consensus around nuclear energy’s role in climate action and spurred a momentous year for the industry. Following further commitments announced at COP29, it will be crucial for industry to mobilize engagement as it looks ahead to this year’s COP30 in Brazil.
Los Angeles and California: Environmental policy as a catalyst for cleantech ecosystems

Jun 28, 2024 | atlanticcouncil.org | Peter Engelke |Joseph Webster |Maia Sparkman

Los Angeles and California: Environmental policy as a catalyst for cleantech ecosystems California and one of its most important tech-innovation ecosystems, Los Angeles, have combatted climate change and other environmental problems through innovation in both policymaking and technological invention and scaling. This paper first examines environmental and climate policymaking at the state level, actions that have been designed, in part, to spur tech-based innovation in California.
US-Mexico energy cooperation is vital to enable nearshoring

Jun 18, 2024 | atlanticcouncil.org | Lizi Bowen |Maia Sparkman |William A. Tobin |Ken Berlin

Claudia Sheinbaum’s historic election matters for Mexico’s relationship with the United States, particularly in trade and energy. While Sheinbaum has pledged continuity with the top-line agenda of outgoing president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO), subtle differences are emerging, opening new areas for cooperation. To make the most of those opportunities, the United States and Mexico must work together to enhance Mexico’s grid for a new industrial era.
Brazil is buying lots of Chinese EVs. Will that continue?

Jun 4, 2024 | atlanticcouncil.org | Lizi Bowen |Maia Sparkman |William A. Tobin |Joseph Webster

In anticipation of growing demand for zero-emission transportation, China has become the world’s largest exporter of electric vehicles (EVs). China’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) industry is at overcapacity, producing an excess of 5 to 10 million vehicles annually beyond domestic demand, forcing China to find new markets to fuel continued growth. Brazil offers a useful case study of China’s strategy—and whether it’s sustainable.
How COP28 can help cities drive climate action

Nov 29, 2023 | atlanticcouncil.org | David L. Goldwyn |Andrea Clabough |Giampaolo Cantini |Maia Sparkman

In recognition of cities’ pivotal role in climate action, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP, will include for the first time a summit dedicated to localized efforts to curb climate change. The , hosted by the COP28 presidency and Bloomberg Philanthropies on December 1 and 2 in Dubai, will provide an official platform for subnational leaders to highlight their successes toward decarbonizing, building climate resilience, and gaining community buy-in for such efforts.
Six Steps Guyana Can Take to Avoid the Resource Curse

Nov 16, 2023 | atlanticcouncil.org | David L. Goldwyn |Andrea Clabough |Lizi Bowen |Maia Sparkman

Guyana is on a rapid path to a major transformation in national wealth. A total of forty-six offshore oil discoveries have been found since exploration commenced in 2015, with an estimated 11 billion barrels of recoverable oil and gas in the offing. Industry experts project that by 2035, Guyana’s output could reach 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, which would make it the fourth largest oil producer in the world.
Can IRA spending really throttle energy inflation?

Aug 10, 2023 | atlanticcouncil.org | William A. Tobin |Paddy Ryan |Maia Sparkman |David L. Goldwyn

A casual observer of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)’s first year might perceive its spending commitments to be more substantial than its earnings. The second legislative incarnation of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better program, the act authorized $891 billion in total spending—including $783 billion for energy and climate—over ten years. Still, the act also contains very substantial revenue generating commitments: $738 billion, according to the Joint Committee on Taxation.
The IRA supercharged US R&D. But does it go far enough?

Aug 9, 2023 | atlanticcouncil.org | David L. Goldwyn |Andrea Clabough |Paddy Ryan |Maia Sparkman

The US economy has long been a global leader in innovation, thanks to the vitality of its research and development (R&D) enterprise. The US R&D ecosystem has been on the forefront of bringing pioneering technologies to commercial maturity with resounding benefits felt domestically and around the world. Many transformative energy technologies—ranging from civil nuclear reactors to solar photovoltaic power and seismic monitoring—have been given life in US national laboratories.
To deliver on IRA objectives, expand the clean energy workforce

Aug 8, 2023 | atlanticcouncil.org | David L. Goldwyn |Andrea Clabough |Maia Sparkman |Reed Blakemore

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) aims to create US jobs by investing heavily in clean energy. Tied closely to the administration’s energy transition agenda–which includes fully decarbonizing the grid by 2035 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050–the IRA is both a US climate leadership bill and a jobs bill, and its provisions could require creating up to 9 million new jobs across the United States over the next decade.