Ireri Hernandez Carballo

I study how the energy and climate transitions shape socioeconomic outcomes and preferences, focusing on three interconnected streams: environmental health, the economic and labor impacts of decarbonization, and the political economy of climate and energy policies. My recent work examines how energy prices and economic security influence sustainability goals and public preferences. Additionally, I study how environmental policies impact economic and labor outcomes as well as attitudes toward the energy transition. I address these topics empirically using advanced quasi-experimental methods, survey experiments, and large geocoded datasets. 

JOB MARKET PAPER

Energy prices and economic security play a critical role in shaping long-term sustainability goals. How do energy prices impact individuals’ support for climate policies? I address this question by combining weekly retail gasoline prices with individual survey data. Using time and regional variation in gasoline prices in a fixed-effects framework, I find that higher gasoline prices reduce support for phasing out of combustion engine vehicles but do not affect support for other climate policies. This decline in support appears to be driven by concerns about energy affordability and economic insecurity rather than reduced environmental concern. Moreover, the effects vary by income and ideology, highlighting inequalities across social groups. These findings suggest that rising energy prices should be accompanied by affordable clean transportation options, particularly for lower-income individuals and those with limited transportation alternatives.  

PUBLICATIONS

• Hernandez Carballo, I., & Sisco, M.R. (2024). Examining the effects of gasoline prices on public support for climate policies. Nature Energy.
• Hernandez Carballo, I., Bakola, M., and Stuckler, D. (2022). The impact of air pollution on COVID-19 incidence, severity, and mortality: A systematic review of studies in Europe and North America. Environmental Research. 
• Bakola, M., Hernandez Carballo, I., Jelastopulu, E., and Stuckler, D. (2022). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on air pollution in Europe and North America: a systematic review. European Journal of Public Health.

WORKING PAPERS

• Hernandez Carballo, I., – Energy costs and the political economy of the energy transition: Evidence from natural gas and electricity prices in the EU.
• Hernandez Carballo, I., Verdolini, E., Steckel, J., Tavoni, M., Vona, F.,  – The economics of a just transition. Revise and Re-submit. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy.
• Hernandez Carballo, I., Mallarino, G.M., Percoco, M., – The impact of green policies on local economic performance: Evidence from the EU ETS. 
• Hernandez Carballo, I., Soler Lopez, J. – Naturalization and voting behavior as a response to discrimination. Evidence from immigrants in the U.S.