Professor Jairo Quiros-Tortos

Dr. Jairo Quirós-Tortós is an internationally recognized expert in energy systems and climate change, specializing in decarbonization strategies in Latin America and the Caribbean. From 2008 until 2024, he was Professor of Integrated Assessment Modelling at the University of Costa Rica. Currently, he is a Professor of Practice – Sustainable Transitions at Loughborough University. He is also the Deputy Director of the Climate Compatible Growth Programme – a £95 million UK Aid-funded project. His work is deeply rooted in promoting socially inclusive climate action through innovative modelling tools, open data, and participative methodologies.

Dr. Quirós-Tortós has led over 40 high-impact studies across 20 countries, with funding exceeding USD 15 million from global organizations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, and the United Nations. His contributions have significantly influenced the design of national and regional climate policies, including Costa Rica's National Decarbonization Plan and the Green Recovery Strategy in Honduras.

In addition to his policy work, Dr. Quirós-Tortós has co-developed pioneering approaches like the Data-to-Deal framework, which has mobilized billions of dollars for climate initiatives in Costa Rica and gained international recognition. His academic portfolio includes mentoring over 100 graduate researchers and publishing more than 100 articles in prestigious journals.

Dr. Quirós-Tortós’s expertise spans a wide array of technical areas, including energy systems modelling, robust decision-making, and the fiscal impacts of decarbonization. His dedication to education is evident in his extensive teaching experience across Latin America and his innovative curriculum development. His ability to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable insights has solidified his reputation as a leading voice in the global climate change discourse.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and proficient in French, Dr. Quirós-Tortós's work continues to drive equitable clean energy futures, making significant strides towards sustainable development in the region and beyond.

Dr. Jairo Quirós-Tortós’s research is at the cutting edge of decarbonization strategies, with a primary focus on integrated assessment modelling applied to climate and energy systems in Latin America and the Caribbean. His work rigorously examines the social, economic, and environmental interactions of deep decarbonization pathways, covering key sectors such as energy, transport, industry, buildings, agriculture, and waste.

A cornerstone of Dr. Quirós-Tortós’s research is the development and use of innovative modelling tools that empower policymakers with actionable insights for low-carbon futures. He has been instrumental in advancing open-source models like OSeMOSYS and CLEWs, which enable transparent and reproducible analysis of complex data sets, supporting the formulation of national and regional climate policies.

In addition to his work in modelling, Dr. Quirós-Tortós has co-developed the Data-to-Deal framework, a groundbreaking approach that has mobilized billions of dollars for climate initiatives in Costa Rica. This framework is now gaining international recognition and adoption, illustrating the global impact of his research. Data-to-Deal effectively bridges the gap between data-driven analysis and practical policy implementation, facilitating the allocation of financial resources to support sustainable development.

Another significant aspect of Dr. Quirós-Tortós’s research is his leadership in robust decision-making (RDM) techniques. He is spearheading the development of the first RDM Guide, designed to aid governments and international organizations in crafting long-term strategies under deep uncertainty. This pioneering work ensures that policy decisions are resilient, taking into account the complex trade-offs between environmental, social, and economic factors.

Dr. Quirós-Tortós’s research also addresses the fiscal and social implications of decarbonization, providing critical insights into the economic benefits of transitioning to low-carbon economies. His work continues to influence global climate policy, driving innovation and supporting sustainable development on an international scale.

Dr. Jairo Quirós-Tortós is a dedicated educator with extensive experience teaching in the fields of energy systems, climate change, and sustainable transitions. His teaching philosophy revolves around equipping students with the knowledge and practical tools necessary to address complex environmental challenges, emphasizing critical thinking, hands-on learning, and the application of advanced modelling techniques.

One of Dr. Quirós-Tortós's key teaching areas is energy systems, where he covers the fundamentals of power systems, including the integration of renewable energy sources and the interactions between energy, transport, and industrial sectors. He also provides students with the skills to model distribution networks using open-source tools, preparing them to analyse and optimize medium and low voltage networks effectively.

In the area of climate change and net-zero transitions, Dr. Quirós-Tortós offers comprehensive instruction on the science of climate change, its policy implications, and strategies for achieving net-zero emissions. His courses frequently incorporate the use of energy systems modelling to inform policy decisions, utilizing tools like OSeMOSYS and Robust Decision Making (RDM) to design sustainable energy solutions.

Dr. Quirós-Tortós also brings his expertise in integrated assessment modelling to the classroom, guiding students through the complexities of quantifying interactions within climate, land, energy, and water systems. This approach helps students understand how these integrated systems influence national and regional development strategies, preparing them to contribute effectively to climate policy and planning.

In addition to his technical teaching, Dr. Quirós-Tortós introduces students to the Electricity Transition Playbook, a resource he co-created that guides countries in transitioning to renewable electricity systems. This playbook is a practical tool that supports the design and implementation of energy sector decarbonization strategies, enriching students' understanding of global electricity transitions.

Dr. Quirós-Tortós’s teaching is enriched by his international experience, offering students a global perspective on sustainable development challenges and preparing them to contribute to climate solutions in diverse contexts.

• Victor-Gallardo, L.F., Rodríguez-Zúñiga, M., Quirós-Tortós, J., Jaramillo, M., Vogt-Schilb, A., “Policy options to mitigate the fiscal impact of road transport decarbonization: Application to Costa Rica,” Energy. Policy, vol. 185, Feb. 2024. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18235/0003402.
• Sauma-Chacón, M.J., Matarrita-Valverde, A., Zúñiga-Alvarado, B., Rodríguez-Zúñiga, M., Quirós-Tortós, J., Víctor-Gallardo, L.F., Schaal, P., Cubillos, P., Duplan, T., Robin, M., Dali, S., “The regional employment implications of a net-zero economy in Costa Rica under uncertainty,” Advances in Climate Change Research, Vol. 14. No. 6, Dec. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accre.2023.11.017.
• Quirós-Tortós, J. and Victor-Gallardo, L.F., “The Bigger Picture: Robust Decarbonization of the Transport Sector in Costa Rica,” in IEEE Power and Energy Magazine, vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 77-90, Nov.-Dec. 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MPE.2023.3308234.
• Plazas-Niño, F.A., Yeganyan, R., Cannone, C., Howells, M., and Quirós-Tortós, J., “Informing sustainable energy policy in developing countries: An assessment of decarbonization pathways in Colombia using open energy system optimization modelling,” Energy Strategy Reviews, vol. 50, Nov. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2023.101226.
• Jaramillo, M., Quiros-Tortos, J., Vogt-Schilb, A., Money, A., and Howells, M., “Data-to-Deal (D2D): Open Data and Modelling of Long Term Strategies to Financial Resource Mobilization - the case of Costa Rica,”. Cambridge Open Engage, Mar. 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2023-sqbfm-v5.
• Godínez-Zamora, G., Victor-Gallardo, L.F., Angulo-Paniagua, J., Ramos, E. Howells, M., Usher, W., De Leon, F., Meza, A., Quirós-Tortós, J., “Decarbonising the transport and energy sectors: technical feasibility and socioeconomic impacts in Costa Rica," Energy Strategy Reviews, vol. 32, Nov. 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2020.100573.