Jay Sterling Gregg has been with the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Center since 2019 as a researcher within the field of socio-technical transitions. Jay is particularly interested in how social innovation, such as collective action or inclusive gender initiatives, can support the diffusion of climate-friendly technologies, create new local markets and economic opportunities, promote social cohesion, and positively impact life quality in developing countries.
Jay has published on many topics relating to sustainability and solutions to climate change, including fossil fuel carbon emissions and energy consumption, energy efficiency, land use and biological carbon sequestration, bioenergy, waste-to-energy, bio-circular economies, smart and sustainable cities, sustainable architecture and well-being, consumer behavior, social acceptance of renewable energy, and collective action.
Jay’s experience includes research positions at Technical University of Denmark within the Danish Climate Centre at the Risø National Laboratory for Renewable Energy, the Climate Change and Sustainable Development Group within the Systems Analysis Department, and the Industrial Dynamics and Strategy Group within the Department for Innovation. Jay also has worked at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States, and has had research stays in Korea and China.
Jay holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Maryland, a Masters in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, and bachelor’s degrees in Mathematics, Philosophy, and Music.
