Ethan Magistro ’24

Major

Philosophy

Project Title

Analyzing Resilient Net-zero Energy Pathways Using Structured Risk Assessment

Presentation Link

View Ethan's Presentation

Certificate(s): Environmental Studies, History and the Practice of Diplomacy

I identified and evaluated risks to the United States’ aim of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. My team and I applied a structured risk assessment framework based on the ISO 31000 risk management standard to two pathways developed in detail by the Princeton Net-Zero America (NZA) study. We first created a research framework that divided risks into societal, techno-industrial, and environmental categories. We then identified, analyzed, and evaluated potential execution failures and climate resilience risks of technologies deployed in NZA. We identified and ranked over 700 risks facing the United States’ transition to net-zero, including risks related to climate resilience and social and political opposition. Through this project, I developed the ability to conduct robust risk assessment, and I cultivated skills in identifying political and legal challenges as well as environmental, social, and corporate governance risks. I also increased my familiarity with international trade and supply chain management. Our work has further put into perspective how extreme the challenge of mitigating climate change is for the United States. I hope our findings will serve as a call to action for business and government stakeholders on the need to mitigate key risks as they pursue the transition to net zero.



Internship Year

2022

Project Category

Urban Sustainability

Organization(s)

Energy Systems Analysis Group, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, Princeton University - Princeton, New Jersey

Mentor(s)

Chris Greig, Theodora D. ’78 & William H. Walton III ’74 Senior Research Scientist, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment; Richard Moss, Visiting Research Collaborator, Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment