Charlie Wilson

Charlie Wilson is a visiting research scholar in the Energy, Climate, and Environment (ECE) Program, working on a range of energy, innovation, and climate change mitigation projects. His work focuses on the dynamics and patterns of innovation and diffusion across diverse samples of energy technologies. This includes novel datasets and analysis on the physical scaling of technologies and industries, on the functioning of energy innovation systems, on the benefits of granular or small-scale technologies, and on pre-commercial formative phases in the innovation lifecycle. His work has fed into the Global Energy Assessment (2012), been published in a Cambridge University Press book (2014), as well as various journal publications and IIASA working papers (2009-present). He is also a Professor of Energy and Climate Change in the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia, UK.

Last update: 14 OCT 2021

Eker, S. & Wilson, C. (2022). System Dynamics of Social Tipping Processes. IIASA Report. Laxenburg, Austria: IIASA

Hanmer, C., Wilson, C. , Edelenbosch, O.Y., & van Vuuren, D.P. (2022). Translating Global Integrated Assessment Model Output into Lifestyle Change Pathways at the Country and Household Level. Energies 15 (5), e1650. 10.3390/en15051650.

Gambhir, A., Green, R., Grubb, M., Heptonstall, P., Wilson, C. , & Gross, R. (2021). How Are Future Energy Technology Costs Estimated? Can We Do Better? International Review of Environmental and Resource Economics 15 (4), 271-318. 10.1561/101.00000128.

Kikstra, J. , Vinca, A. , Lovat, F. , Boza-Kiss, B. , van Ruijven, B. , Wilson, C. , Rogelj, J. , Zakeri, B. , Fricko, O. , & Riahi, K. (2021). Climate mitigation scenarios with persistent COVID-19-related energy demand changes. Nature Energy 6, 1114-1123. 10.1038/s41560-021-00904-8.

Rao, N.D. & Wilson, C. (2021). Advancing energy and well-being research. Nature Sustainability 5, 98-103. 10.1038/s41893-021-00775-7.

Kikstra, J. , Vinca, A. , Lovat, F. , Boza-Kiss, B. , van Ruijven, B. , Wilson, C. , Rogelj, J. , Zakeri, B. , Fricko, O. , & Riahi, K. (2021). Data for climate mitigation scenarios with persistent COVID-19 related energy demand changes. 10.5281/zenodo.5211168.

Wilson, C. , Guivarch, C., Kriegler, E., van Ruijven, B. , van Vuuren, D.P., Krey, V. , Schwanitz, V.J., & Thompson, E.L. (2021). Evaluating process-based integrated assessment models of climate change mitigation. Climatic Change 166 (1-2), e3. 10.1007/s10584-021-03099-9.

Creutzig, F., Callaghan, M., Ramakrishnan, A., Javaid, A., Niamir, L., Minx, J., Müller-Hansen, F., Sovacool, B., Afroz, Z., Andor, M., Antal, M., Court, V., Das, N., Díaz-José, J., Döbbe, F., Figueroa, M.J., Gouldson, A., Haberl, H., Hook, A., Ivanova, D., Lamb, W.F., Maïzi, N., Mata, É., Nielsen, K.S., Onyige, C.D., Reisch, L.A., Roy, J., Scheelbeek, P., Sethi, M., Some, S., Sorrell, S., Tessier, M., Urmee, T., Virág, D., Wan, C., Wiedenhofer, D., & Wilson, C. (2021). Reviewing the scope and thematic focus of 100 000 publications on energy consumption, services and social aspects of climate change: a big data approach to demand-side mitigation. Environmental Research Letters 16 (3), e033001. 10.1088/1748-9326/abd78b.

Sharmina, M., Edelenbosch, O.Y., Wilson, C. , Freeman, R., Gernaat, D.E.H.J., Gilbert, P., Larkin, A., Littleton, E.W., Traut, M., van Vuuren, D.P., Vaughan, N.E., Wood, F.R., & Le Quéré, C. (2021). Decarbonising the critical sectors of aviation, shipping, road freight and industry to limit warming to 1.5–2°C. Climate Policy 21 (4), 455-474. 10.1080/14693062.2020.1831430.

Wilson, C. & van Ruijven, B. (2021). Long-term impacts of COVID-19 on energy use in transport and buildings. NAVIGATE project

Pettifor, H. & Wilson, C. (2020). Low carbon innovations for mobility, food, homes and energy: A synthesis of consumer attributes. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 130, e109954. 10.1016/j.rser.2020.109954.

TWI2050 - The World in 2050, (2020). Innovations for Sustainability. Pathways to an efficient and post-pandemic future. Report prepared by The World in 2050 initiative. International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)

Pettifor, H., Wilson, C. , Bogelein, S., Cassar, E., Kerr, L., & Wilson, M. (2020). Are low-carbon innovations appealing? A typology of functional, symbolic, private and public attributes. Energy Research & Social Science 64, e101422. 10.1016/j.erss.2019.101422.

Wilson, C. , Grubler, A. , Bento, N., Healey, S., De Stercke, S., & Zimm, C. (2020). Granular technologies to accelerate decarbonization. Science 368 (6486), 36-39. 10.1126/science.aaz8060.

McCollum, D.L., Gambhir, A., Rogelj, J. , & Wilson, C. (2020). Energy modellers should explore extremes more systematically in scenarios. Nature Energy 5 10.1038/s41560-020-0555-3.

Louwen, A., Edelenbosch, O.Y., van Vuuren, D.P., McCollum, D., Pettifor, H., Wilson, C. , & Junginger, M. (2020). Application of experience curves and learning to other fields. In: Technological Learning in the Transition to a Low-Carbon Energy System. Eds. Junginger, M. & Louwen, A., pp. 49-62 Academic Press. 10.1016/B978-0-12-818762-3.00004-2.

Kim, Y.J. & Wilson, C. (2019). Analysing energy innovation portfolios from a systemic perspective. Energy Policy 134, e110942. 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110942.

Kim, Y.J. & Wilson, C. (2019). Analysing future change in the EU's energy innovation system. Energy Strategy Reviews 24, 279-299. 10.1016/j.esr.2019.04.012.

Le Quéré, C., Korsbakken, J.I., Wilson, C. , Tosun, J., Andrew, R., Andres, R.J., Canadell, J.G., Jordan, A., Peters, G.P., & van Vuuren, D.P. (2019). Drivers of declining CO2 emissions in 18 developed economies. Nature Climate Change 9 (3), 213-217. 10.1038/s41558-019-0419-7.

Wilson, C. , Pettifor, H., Cassar, E., Kerr, L., & Wilson, M. (2019). The potential contribution of disruptive low-carbon innovations to 1.5 °C climate mitigation. Energy Efficiency 12 (2), 423-440. 10.1007/s12053-018-9679-8.

Nakicenovic, N. & Wilson, C. (2019). Transformations towards zero-carbon development pathways. In: Emissions Gap Report 2019. pp. 39-45 Nairobi: UNEP. ISBN 978-92-807-3766-0

Edelenbosch, O., McCollum, D., Pettifor, H., Wilson, C. , & van Vuuren, D. (2018). Interactions between social learning and technological learning in electric vehicle futures. Environmental Research Letters 13 (12), e124004. 10.1088/1748-9326/aae948.

Bento, N., Wilson, C. , & Anadon, L.D. (2018). Time to get ready: Conceptualizing the temporal and spatial dynamics of formative phases for energy technologies. Energy Policy 119, 282-293. 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.015.

McCollum, D., Wilson, C. , Bevione, M., Carrara, S., Edelenbosch, O., Emmerling, J., Guivarch, C., Karkatsoulis, P., Keppo, I., Krey, V. , Lin, Z., Ó'Broin, E., Paroussos, L., Pettifor, H., Ramea, K., Riahi, K. , Sano, F., Rodriguez, B.S., & van Vuuren, D.P. (2018). Interaction of consumer preferences and climate policies in the global transition to low-carbon vehicles. Nature Energy 3 (8), 664-673. 10.1038/s41560-018-0195-z.

Grubler, A. , Wilson, C. , Bento, N., Boza-Kiss, B. , Krey, V. , McCollum, D., Rao, N. , Riahi, K. , Rogelj, J. , De Stercke, S., Cullen, J., Frank, S. , Fricko, O. , Guo, F. , Gidden, M. , Havlik, P. , Huppmann, D. , Kiesewetter, G. , Rafaj, P. , Schöpp, W. , & Valin, H. (2018). A low energy demand scenario for meeting the 1.5 °C target and sustainable development goals without negative emission technologies. Nature Energy 3 (6), 517-525. 10.1038/s41560-018-0172-6.

Wilson, C. , Kriegler, E., van Vuuren, D.P., Guivarch, C., Frame, D., Krey, V. , Osborn, T.J., Schwanitz, V.J., & Thompson, E.L. (2017). Evaluating Process-Based Integrated Assessment Models of Climate Change Mitigation. IIASA Working Paper. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: WP-17-007

Grubler, A. , Wilson, C. , & Nemet, G.F. (2016). Apples, oranges, and consistent comparisons of the temporal dynamics of energy transitions. Energy Research & Social Science 22, 18-25. 10.1016/j.erss.2016.08.015.

Bento, N. & Wilson, C. (2016). Measuring the duration of formative phases for energy technologies. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions 21, 95-112. 10.1016/j.eist.2016.04.004.

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2015). Historical Characteristics and Scenario Analysis of Technological Change in the Energy System. In: Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development. Eds. Vos, R. & Alarcon, D., pp. 45-80 Norwich, UK: Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 978-1-4725-8079-510.5040/9781472580795.ch-003.

Kriegler, E., Petermann, N., Krey, V. , Schwanitz, V.J., Luderer, G., Ashina, S., Bosetti, V., Eom, J., Kitous, A., Mejean, A., Paroussos, L., Sano, F., Turton, H., Wilson, C. , & van Vuuren, D.P. (2015). Diagnostic indicators for integrated assessment models of climate policy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change 90 (Part A), 45-61. 10.1016/j.techfore.2013.09.020.

Bento, N. & Wilson, C. (2014). Formative Phase Lengths for a Sample of Energy Technologies Using a Diverse Set of Indicators. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: IR-14-009

Grubler, A. , Diaz Anadon, L., Gallagher, K.S., Kempener, R., O'Rourke, A., & Wilson, C. (2014). Global R&D, market formation, and diffusion investments in energy technology innovation. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. (2014). Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. (2014). Historical case studies of energy technology innovation. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. (2014). Policies for energy technology innovation. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. (2014). Historical diffusion and growth of energy technologies. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes andFailures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. (2014). Input, output, and outcome metrics for assessing energy technology innovation. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes andFailures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2014). The Energy Technology Innovation System. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2014). Energy technology innovation. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2014). Lessons learnt from the Energy Technology Innovation System. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2014). A comparative analysis of annual market investments in energy supply and end-use technologies. In: Energy Technology Innovation: Learning from Historical Successes and Failures. Eds. Grubler, A. & Wilson, C. , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107023222

Wilson, C. , Grubler, A. , Bauer, N., Krey, V. , & Riahi, K. (2013). Future capacity growth of energy technologies: Are scenarios consistent with historical evidence? Climatic Change 118 (2), 381-395. 10.1007/s10584-012-0618-y.

Gallagher, K.S., Grubler, A. , Kuhl, L., Nemet, G.F., & Wilson, C. (2012). The Energy Technology Innovation System. Annual Review of Environment and Resources 37, 137-162. 10.1146/annurev-environ-060311-133915.

Wilson, C. , Grubler, A. , Gallagher, K.S., & Nemet, G.F. (2012). Marginalization of end-use technologies in energy innovation for climate protection. Nature Climate Change 2 (11), 780-788. 10.1038/nclimate1576.

Grubler, A , Aguayo, F., Gallagher, K.S., Hekkert, M., Jiang, K., Mytelka, L., Neij, L., Nemet, G.F., & Wilson, C. (2012). Chapter 24: Policies for the Energy Technology Innovation System (ETIS). In: Global Energy Assessment: Toward a Sustainable Future. Eds. Team, GEA Writing, pp.1665-1744 (October 2012): Cambridge University Press and IIASA.

Riahi, K. , Dentener, F., Gielen, D., Grubler, A. , Jewell, J. , Klimont, Z. , Krey, V. , McCollum, D.L., Pachauri, S. , Rao, S., van Ruijven, B., van Vuuren, D.P., & Wilson, C. (2012). Chapter 17: Energy pathways for sustainable development. In: Global Energy Assessment: Toward a Sustainable Future. Eds. Team, GEA Writing, pp.1203-1306 (October 2012): Cambridge University Press and IIASA.

Wilson, C. (2012). Technology: The Art of the Science of the Possible. In: Worlds Within Reach: From Science To Policy - IIASA 40th Anniversary Conference, 24-26 October 2012, Hofburg Congress Center, Vienna and IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria.

Wilson, C. (2012). Up-scaling, formative phases, and learning in the historical diffusion of energy technologies. Energy Policy 50, 81-94. 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.04.077.

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2011). A Comparative Analysis of Annual Market Investments in Energy Supply and End-use Technologies. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: IR-11-032

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2011). Lessons from the history of technological change for clean energy scenarios and policies. Natural Resources Forum 35 (3), 165-184. 10.1111/j.1477-8947.2011.01386.x.

Wilson, C. & Grubler, A. (2011). Lessons from the History of Technology and Global Change for the Emerging Clean Technology Cluster. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: IR-11-001

Wilson, C. (2009). Meta-analysis of Unit and Industry Level Scaling Dynamics in Energy Technologies and Climate Change Mitigation Scenarios. IIASA Interim Report. IIASA, Laxenburg, Austria: IR-09-029

Skirbekk, V., Prommer, I., K.C., S., Terama, E., & Wilson, C. (2007). Report on methods for demographic projections at multiple levels of aggregation. PLUREL Report D1.2.1, Module 1: Driving forces and global trends (June 2007)

Wilson, C. (2007). Demographic Transition in Europe and Around the Mediterranean. In: Between Europe and the Mediterranean. pp. 11-27 UK: 978-1-349-28056-8. ISBN 978-1-349-28056-810.1057/9780230287334_2.