Environmental Policy ·
Public Purchasing, Political Priorities, and the Promise of AI
New research by SPA Professor Nicole Darnall examines the future of sustainable public procurement.
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The Center informs and educates future environmental leaders, while promoting innovative technologies, policies and practices in order to strengthen environmental, energy, climate, sustainability and environmental justice practices.
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Featured Event
Public Policy and the AI Data Center Build-Out: Lessons from Virginia’s “Data Center Alley”
A Center for Environmental Policy (CEP) Public Conference at American University’s Constitution Hall on October 22, 2026, 9am to 2pm
The debate over data centers has become a touchstone of public reaction in many parts of the US. But the antagonism in public opinion regarding data center construction and use addresses several separate but related issues, to be explored at this one-day conference at American University, sponsored by the School of Public Affairs and the Center for Environmental Policy (CEP). The conference will feature elected officials from Virginia, opponents and supporters of the data center build-out who will explain their reasoning, and national leaders and analysts of the emerging patterns of data center implementation. The focus will be on assessing the policies in place, both in Virginia and across the US, and which have succeeded, and which have not.
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Featured Project
Climate Laws, Institutions Policies and Practices International Survey
This project, led by CEP Director Todd Eisenstadt and co-principal investigator Tofigh Maboudi of Loyola University Chicago will offer essential new data gathered from fall 2026 expert surveys on the climate policies of 80 nations. Using over 1000 survey respondents recommended by the project’s 120-member advisory board in over 50 nations, as well as other sources of potential respondents, the project will identify conditions facilitating robust climate policies and how these policies impact climate mitigation and how vulnerable nations are adapting to climate damage. The data will be publicly disseminated to assess government climate policy performance around the world in comparative perspective.
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2026 Reilly Awards
The Center for Environmental Policy has announced the winners of the 2026 William K. Reilly Awards for Environmental Leadership, Frances Ulmer and Charles Lee. Thank you to William Reilly for sharing remarks and Dan Fiorino for hosting this wonderful event!
About the Reilly Fund
More News & Announcements
Environmental Policy ·
No Compromise in Defense of Mother Earth
In his new book No Option But Sabotage, SPA professor traces the rise, fall, and potential reemergence of the radical environmental movement.
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Environmental Policy ·
Climate-Change Vulnerability and Climate Migration: Evidence from Guatemala
Policy Brief: As extreme weather events have grown more frequent and severe, climate migration has become more commonplace. But to what extent does climate change vulnerability impact people’s decision to relocate?
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Environmental Policy ·
What Happened to the Radical Environmental Movement?
In collaboration with undergraduate Grace Gold, SPA Associate Professor Thomas Zeitzoff published an article on attitudes towards cyber tactics in eco-activism.
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