Field of Work
Ecopolitical instruments and energy and transport policies have besides their intended benefit (e.g. compliance with emission limits, reduction of public health risks, reduction of climate change) disadvantages, e.g. costs or utility losses. A necessary precondition for acceptance is the proof, that the benefits of the measure are higher than the costs resp. disadvantages. For this purpose, a cost-benefit analysis has to be carried out. A methodology, the impact pathway approach' has been developed that is used to assess policy interventions or technology systems within an integrated technology assessment. One focus is the assessment of health risks caused by environmental pollution. For example, the method could be used to identify and assess optimal air pollution control strategies.
Personal Information
Apl. Prof. Dr. Rainer Friedrich was born in 1950 in Würzburg, Germany. After studying physics, he completed his doctorate at the Institute for Nuclear Energy and Energy Systems of the University of Stuttgart and then moved to the Institute for Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER), where he habilitated. Currently he is head of the department 'technology assessment and environment' of IER. His main working areas are technology assessment and air pollution control. He has a large experience in coordinating international research projects, among them various projects of the ‘ExternE’-project series of the EU, that deals with the assessment of external costs of energy systems.