2025 Winner: Ryan P. Thombs

Ryan Thombs

• Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology
• Social Science Research Institute Co-funded Faculty Member

Areas of Expertise

• Climate Change
• Environmental Health
• Social Dimensions of Energy
• Political Economy
• Quantitative Methods

• Email rmt5827@psu.edu
• Pronouns He/Him

Full Bio for Ryan Thombs

Full Bio for Ryan Thombs

Awarded Publication

"Do industrial decarbonization policies deliver? A global assessment of policy effectiveness across 150 nations, 1990–2020" Environmental Research Letters, Thombs, Ryan P., Zhang, Weimin, Sovacool, Benjamin K., 2025.

Ryan P. Thombs

This research tackles one of the most urgent questions in climate policy: Are industrial decarbonization policies effective in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? Industry is the single largest source of global greenhouse emissions and the fastest-growing sector of carbon dioxide emissions. Yet, until now, there has been little evidence on whether policies aimed at decarbonizing industry actually work.

Ryan’s study fills this critical gap by analyzing panel data from 150 countries over three decades, drawing on an inventory of more than 700 policies. His findings are both rigorous and impactful:

• Industrial decarbonization policies do reduce emissions, and these effects persist for years after implementation.
• Two policy types stand out as most effective:
  (1) Economic incentives such as payments, finance, and taxation, and
  (2) Strategic plans that provide long-term roadmaps for decarbonization.
• These policies have lasting impacts—up to 18 years—and significantly advance our understanding of how nations can accelerate progress toward net-zero goals.

This work is not only academically significant but also highly relevant for policymakers worldwide. It provides evidence-based guidance on which policy instruments deliver the greatest impact, helping governments design strategies that can meaningfully curb industrial emissions.

Ryan’s research exemplifies the spirit of the Roy C. Buck Award—scholarship that addresses pressing societal challenges through rigorous social science. His contribution will influence climate policy debates and industrial transition strategies for years to come.