“External Effects — A Complete Approach” The New Prognos Study on the External Effects of Energy Procurement

Abstract

The increasing scarcity of environmental resources in combination with growing productive capacity has sparked new and necessary interest in the nature and magnitude of so-called external effects. Of special importance in this context is the field of energy production, procurement and consumption. The energy sector is responsible for external effects of great number and importance — especially those connected with gaseous emissions. In recent years it has also become one of the major fields of debate about which general course society should take. The intensity of the discussion about atomic energy is but a sign for the fact that the choice between energy systems is considered crucial for even larger issues. This has also, but not exclusively, to do with a concern for the environment.