For over 35 years, the California Institute for Energy and Environment (CIEE) at UC Berkeley has driven impactful energy and climate research, partnering with state agencies to administer vital programs, and cultivating the next generation of energy leaders – from graduate students and post-docs to visiting scholars.
Founded in 1989 by Art Rosenfeld, CIEE acts as a strategic bridge connecting the rigor of academia with the practical needs of government and industry.
Since July 2018, CIEE has operated within the CITRIS and the Banatao Institute ecosystem, specifically leveraging the resources of the CITRIS Climate initiative to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.
A Multifaceted Platform for Change
CIEE is more than a research group; we are a comprehensive platform designed to address California’s energy and climate goals through three core pillars: Research, Public Service, and Education.
Multidisciplinary Research
We assemble diverse teams—integrating computer science, building science, and social science—to tackle decarbonization from every angle. Our current focus areas include:
- Clean Energy Technologies: Developing foundational tools or devices that enable efficient and flexible buildings, coordinating with renewable energy and other loads.
- Decarbonization and Electrification: Scaling new tools, technologies, and methods to drastically reduce carbon emissions from energy usage in existing structures.
- The Human Element: Integrating social science to understand how individual behavior and organizational decision-making influence greenhouse gas emissions.
- Workforce Development: Developing high performance building operation curriculum and evaluating programs towards high quality building HVAC systems.
Program Management & Public Service
CIEE has a proven track record of managing vital energy and climate programs for state agencies. We provide expert administration for partners including:
- The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
- The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA)
- The California Energy Commission (CEC)
Cultivating Future Leaders
We are committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and practitioners through mentorship of graduate students, post-docs, and visiting scholars. This mission is furthered by the Art Rosenfeld Award, a fellowship for graduate students advancing the frontiers of energy efficiency.
CIEE Initiatives & Centers
CIEE hosts and organizes several high-impact initiatives that provide the tools and education to move the world toward a more sustainable future:
The Building Efficiency for a Sustainable Tomorrow Center focuses on transforming the technician workforce to manage high-performance buildings.
Carbon accounting research and software to help local governments, households, and businesses scale up low-carbon decisions.
As a founder of the Behavior, Energy, & Climate Change Conference, CIEE convenes global leaders to mobilize human behavior to mitigate climate change impacts.
CIEE By the Numbers
Our impact is backed by decades of impactful research, expert administration, and large-scale collaboration:
Impact on California
Headquartered at the David Brower Center in Berkeley, CIEE’s work moves the state closer to its groundbreaking climate-protection goals. Our efforts ensure:
- Secure & Sustainable Systems: Scaling technologies to create a resilient, flexible grid.
- Affordability: Ensuring reliable, affordable energy access for all Californians.
- Environmental Health: Improving air and water quality while reducing greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the climate.
CIEE is headquartered at the David Brower Center - Berkeley, California