External costs of energy—do the answers match the questions?: Looking back at 10 years of ExternE

摘要: Abstract While the claim for ‘getting prices right’ is quite popular in conceptual policy papers, implementation of appropriate internalisation strategies still hampered by a lack reliable external cost data. Great expectations were set into ExternE project, major research programme launched European Commission at beginning 1990s to provide scientific basis quantification energy related externalities and give guidance supporting design measures. After more than decade research, label became well recognised standard source Looking back history, paper pursues how emerging new insights changing background assumptions affected estimates recommendations over time. Based on results, usefulness inherent limitations impact categories like climate change or nuclear waste disposal discussed. The also gives examples costs spite remaining uncertainties are successfully used support environmental policy.