Etienne Berthet

Dr. Etienne Berthet is a Postdoctoral Associate at the MIT Center for Sustainability Science and Strategy (CS3). He earned degrees in Environmental Engineering and Environmental Economics from AgroParisTech (France) and received his Ph.D from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU). During his doctoral work, Dr. Berthet integrated social and environmental modeling into economic frameworks, developing new accounting methods to map the paths and impacts of global value chains. He also refined traditional industrial ecology tools—such as Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) models—to better capture overlooked chemical pollutants and underrepresented social indicators, including forced labor and modern slavery.

At CS3, Dr. Berthet’s research centers on food security under a changing climate, emphasizing the key role of energy and agricultural transitions to net zero.

To tackle these interconnected challenges, he is building a novel integrated modeling framework that links the MIT Integrated Global System Modeling (IGSM) framework—including the Economic Projection and Policy Analysis (EPPA) with Agricultural and Water models. It captures local and sectoral details (e.g., agricultural yields, hydropower potential) while integrating broader economic, trade, and biodiversity feedback. By highlighting how land and water can be allocated for both food production and energy, Dr. Berthet aims to provide robust, evidence-based strategies for policymakers seeking to improve living standards, reduce emissions, and bolster resilience to climate change.