Morningside Campus Status Updates

Current Access Level “I” – ID Only: CUID holders, alumni, and approved guests only

  • Campus open to active affiliate Columbia University ID (CUID) holders and approved guests only.
  • Columbia students, faculty, and staff can use the guest registration portal to register up to two same-day guests. Alumni can use the portal to register for campus same-day access as well. Learn more below.

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Initiatives

Energy Opportunity Lab

Developing sustainable, accessible energy solutions

The Energy Opportunity Lab identifies specific ideas that respond to environmental and market needs to empower people and communities with sustainable and accessible energy solutions. 

Mission

To work with communities to improve opportunities for sustainable energy inclusion, innovation, and growth. The Lab also supports progress toward the overall goal of a just energy transition to low-carbon energy.

Goals

  • Find solutions: Create a multidisciplinary, multifunctional platform to advance energy access and opportunity worldwide. 
  • Further research: Create an environment and framework to connect world-class research with operators to develop more effective, scalable energy applications.
  • Identify and create specific, tangible ideas: Respond to environmental and market needs to empower people and communities with sustainable and accessible energy solutions.

International approach

Energy use in developing countries is rising fast, but historically, they have contributed just a small fraction of the existing carbon in the atmosphere. They also bear the brunt of the effects of a warming planet. Internationally, EOL will address barriers that low and middle income countries face that hinder access to clean energy solutions while supporting rapid economic growth. EOL will help developing economies navigate a fair and just path in their energy transitions.   

Domestic approach

In the US, poorer households and households of color consume less energy than the average household. At the same time they spend a greater share of their income—roughly three times more than non–low-income households—on energy. They also have less access to the benefits of the transition to low-carbon energy systems. EOL will develop solutions and partner with communities across the US to address the energy disparities and burdens facing disadvantaged communities that block their opportunities for growth and prosperity in the energy transition.

Partnerships

The initiative will work closely with a broad range of partners and stakeholders, both in the US and abroad. It will build off of and support work by others in this area, from across Columbia University as well as in  industry, government, civil society, and academia, in order to advance sound and constructive energy and climate solutions in the real world. The Energy Opportunity Lab will form multidisciplinary partnerships that create solutions and foster cooperation.

Related

Relevant Articles

30 years after Chicago’s deadly heatwave, cooling should be recognized as a right

30 years ago last month, a brutal heatwave struck Chicago, killing more than 700 residents. As the city and much of the United States recently experienced another period of extreme heat, this anniversary serves as a reminder that heat remains one of the deadliest climate-related hazards — killing more people each year than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined — particularly for communities burdened by decades of disinvestment and structural barriers to health and safety.

Op-eds & Essays with Qëndresa Krasniqi, Diana Hernández & Vivek Shastry Utility Dive • August 21, 2025
30 years after Chicago’s deadly heatwave, cooling should be recognized as a right
July 7, 2025 - July 8, 2025 • 6:00 pm edt

Third Annual Energy Opportunity Forum

This year, the Third Annual Energy Opportunity Lab (EOL) Forum will take place July 7th and 8th in Washington, DC, offering a chance for the Washington policymaking community...

Event
Third Annual Energy Opportunity Forum
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