Research Group International Climate Policy and Economics

Head of Research Group
Profile

The International Climate Policy & Economics group has gained national and international recognition for its expertise in energy and climate policy evaluation and instrument design. The group is strongly involved in international research networks and uses qualitative and quantitative methods from economics and the social sciences to develop climate policy strategies for business and public administration. A key focus of the research group is to develop these analysis tools beyond the state of the art.

Our range of services includes:

  • Macroeconomic Analysis
    We analyse the economic effects of climate and environmental policy instruments on regions, economic sectors and actors. We also investigate the impact of climate change itself on the economy as a whole and the effects of different adaptation options. These analyses are based on macro-economic models such as multi-regional input-output modelling and general equilibrium theory.
  • Policy Evaluation
    We analyse policy instruments in terms of their suitability to achieve climate policy objectives. Socio-economic contexts and psychological drivers are taken into account to map structural and individual capabilities against policy targets. Applied methods range from large-scale surveys, expert consultation to integrative systems analysis.
  • Policy Design
    We improve existing instruments and develop new ones. This includes the development of new business models for the implementation of low-CO2 technologies and energy systems such as community-based photovoltaics, e-automobiles and e-bikes or interventions for household energy saving in cooperation with stakeholders.
Projects
  • X-FLEX 2019-2023 (Horizon 2020)
    The project X-FLEX will design, develop and demonstrate a set of tools to integrate the emerging decentralized ecosystem of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and flexibility systems into the existing European energy system in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
  • EXCESS 2019-2023 (Horizon 2020)
    The EXCESS project, led by Joanneum Research, builds up on nearly-zero energy multi-storey building (consumption below primary energy threshold) residential concepts of the main 4 EU climatic zones towards Energy fleXible user-CEntric poSitive houseS (EXCESS). 
  • REGREEN 2019-2023 (Horizon 2020)
    REGREEN, led by Arhus University, will substantially improve the evidence and tools for supporting co-creation of nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban settings, implementation of decision support systems for planning and governance, and development of business models for realising spatially relevant NBS, that provide multiple ecosystem services and wellbeing.