Associate Professor in Technology Policy
BSc (McGill University), MA (Princeton University), PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Research interests
National climate change policies; social and political acceptability of low-carbon technologies; public views of the subsurface including fracking and carbon capture and storage technologies, energy demand, international environmental negotiations; policy design; public perceptions of energy technologies, regulatory policy; competition policy; science policy and communicating science and technology.
Subject group: Economics & Policy
Professional experience
Dr Reiner is a political scientist and is currently University Senior Lecturer in Technology Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School. David has advised government, industry and non-governmental organisations on energy and environmental policy, with a particular emphasis on the politics of climate change and the social acceptability of low-carbon or net-negative mitigation options for achieving net zero targets including carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS), hydrogen, and other energy and carbon dioxide removal (CDR) options. He is frequently interviewed in national and international media including the BBC World Service, The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Bloomberg, Reuters, The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph.
David is Assistant Director of the Energy Policy Research Group, and is also a Research Associate of the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy Research and the Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, both at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He sits on the steering committee of the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Programme’s Social Research Network and the Advisory Board of the Industrial Decarbonisation Challenge. David serves on the UK CCUS Council chaired by the UK energy minister. He is also a non-executive director of Gore Street Capital. David has provided both written and oral testimony before the House of Commons Committee on Science and Technology and the Committee on Energy and Climate Change and contributed to the World Economic Forum in Davos and Moscow. He is the recipient of research grants from UK Research and Innovation, the European Commission, and the UK Government.
Previous appointments
Dr Reiner joined Cambridge Judge Business School from MIT’s Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change and the Laboratory for Energy and Environment. He has also taught in the Political Science Department at Tufts University and the Graduate School of International Studies in Geneva.
Selected publications
Here are a selection of David Reiner’s publications. Please see the “Selected publications” tab above for a more comprehensive list.
Pozo, C., Galán-Martín, A., Reiner, D., MacDowell, N. and Guillén-Gosálbez, G. (2020) “Equity in allocating carbon dioxide removal quotas.” Nature Climate Change, 10(7): 640-646 (DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0802-4)
Ostfeld, R. and Reiner, D.M. (2020) “Public views of Scotland’s path to decarbonization: evidence from citizens’ juries and focus groups.” Energy Policy, 140: 111332 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111332)
Ajayi, V. and Reiner, D. (2020) “European industrial energy intensity: innovation, environmental regulation, and price effects.” Energy Journal, 41(4): 75-98 (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.41.4.vaja)
Newbery, D.M., Reiner, D.M. and Ritz, R.A. (2019) “The political economy of a carbon price floor for power generation.” The Energy Journal, 40(1) (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.40.1.dnew)
Guan, D., Meng, J., Reiner, D.M., Zhang, N., Shan, Y., Mi, Z., Shao, S., Liu, Z., Zhang, Q. and Davis, S.J. (2018) “Structural decline in China’s CO2 emissions through transitions in industry and energy systems.” Nature Geoscience, 11: 551-555 (DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0161-1)
Reiner, D.M. (2016) “Learning through a portfolio of carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.” Nature Energy, 1(1) (DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2015.11)
Journal articles
Jacoby, H.D., Eckhaus, R.S., Ellerman, A.D., Prinn, R.G., Reiner, D.M. and Yang, Z. (1997) “CO2 emissions limits: economic adjustments and the distribution of burdens.” Energy Journal, 18(3): 31-58
Reiner, D. (1999) “Commentary: Progress at Buenos Aires?” Environment, 41(10): 4-6 (DOI: 10.1080/00139159909605540)
Reiner, D.M. and Jacoby, H.D. (2001) “Learning the lessons of Kyoto: viewpoint.” Climate Policy, 1(2): 273-275
Reiner, D.M. (2001) “How the Hague negotiations failed.” Environment, 43(2): 36-43
Jacoby, H.D. and Reiner, D.M. (2001) “Getting climate policy on track after the Hague.” International Affairs, 77(2): 297-312
Babiker, M.H., Jacoby, H.D., Reilly, J.M. and Reiner, D.M. (2002) “The evolution of a climate regime: Kyoto to Marrakech and beyond.” Environmental Science and Policy, 5(3): 195-206
Reiner, D.M. (2002) “Whither Kyoto? Ten years of climate change policymaking.” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 4(1): 127-133
Reiner, D.M. and H.J. Herzog (2004) “Developing a set of regulatory analogs for carbon sequestration.” Energy, 29(9/10): 1561-1570
Reiner, D.M. (2004) “The cost of climate policy.” Energy Policy, 32(11): 1349-1350 (DOI: 10.1016/S0301-4215(03)00123-X)
Reiner, D.M. (2004) “Environnement: le refus de la discipline.” Sociétal, 45: 122-124
Sarofim, M.C., Forest, C.E., Reiner, D.M. and Reilly, J.M. (2005) “Stabilization and global climate policy.” Global and Planetary Change, 47(2-4): 266-272
de Figueiredo, M.A., Reiner, D.M. and Herzog, H.J. (2005) “Framing the long-term in situ liability issue for geologic carbon storage in the United States.” Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 10(4): 647-657
Reiner, D. (2006) “Who’s feeling the heat?” Conservation in Practice, 7(2): 40-41
Reiner, D.M., Curry, T.E., de Figueiredo, M.A., Herzog, H.J., Ansolabehere, S.D., Itaoka, K., Johnsson, F. and Odenberger, M. (2006) “American exceptionalism? Similarities and differences in national attitudes towards energy policy and global warming.” Environmental Science and Technology, 40(7): 2093-2098
Reiner, D.M., Curry, T.E., de Figueiredo, M.A., Herzog, H.J., Ansolabehere, S.D., Itaoka, K., Johnsson, F. and Odenberger, M. (2006) “Response to comment on “American exceptionalism? Similarities and differences in national attitudes toward energy policy and global warming”.” Environmental Science and Technology, 40(21): 6866 (DOI: 10.1021/es068009+)
Shackley, S., Waterman, H., Godfroij, P., Reiner, D., Anderson, J., Draxlbauer, K. and Flach, T. (2007) “Stakeholder perceptions of CO2 capture and storage in Europe: results from a survey.” Energy Policy, 35(10): 5091-5108 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2007.05.001)
Wilson, E.J., Morgan, M.G., Apt, J., Bonner, M., Bunting, C., Gode, J., Reiner, D.M., et al (2008) “Regulating the geological sequestration of CO2.” Environmental Science and Technology, 42(8): 2718-2722
Guan, D., Hubacek, K., Weber, C.L., Peters, G.P. and Reiner, D.M. (2008) “The drivers of Chinese CO2 emissions from 1980 to 2030.” Global Environmental Change, 18(4): 626-634 (DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.08.001)
Chyong Chi, K., Nuttall, W.J. and Reiner, D.M. (2008) “Dynamics of the UK natural gas industry: system dynamics modelling and long-term energy policy analysis.” Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 76(3): 339-357 (DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2008.06.002)
Noël, P. and Reiner, D.M. (2008) “Energie et changement climatique: la politique de l’administration Bush et le debat public american.” Vingtieme Siecle, 97: 89-108
Anderson, J., Chiavari, J., Coninck, H.D., Shackley, S., Sigurthorsson, G., Flach, T., Reiner, D., et al (2009) “Results from the project ‘Acceptance of CO2 capture and storage: economics, policy and technology (ACCSEPT)’.” Energy Procedia, 1(1): 4649-4653 (DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2009.02.287)
de Coninck, H., Flach, T., Curnow, P., Richardson, P., Anderson, J., Shackley, S., Sigurthorsson, G. and Reiner, D. (2009) “The acceptability of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) in Europe: an assessment of the key determining factors: Part 1. Scientific, technical and economic dimensions.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 3(3): 333-343 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2008.07.009)
Shackley, S., Reiner, D., Upham, P., de Coninck, H., Sigurthorsson, G. and Anderson, J. (2009) “The acceptability of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) in Europe: an assessment of the key determining factors: Part 2. The social acceptability of CCS and the wider impacts and repercussions of its implementation.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 3(3): 344-356 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2008.09.004)
Liang, X., Reiner, D., Gibbins, J., Li, J. (2009) “Assessing the value of CO2 capture ready in new-build pulverised coal-fired power plants in China.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 3(6): 787-792
Guan, D. and Reiner, D.M. (2009) “Emissions affected by trade among developing countries.” Nature, 462(7270): 164 (DOI: 10.1038/462159b)
Johnsson, F., Reiner, D., Itaoka, K. and Herzog, H. (2009) “Stakeholder attitudes on carbon capture and storage – an international comparison.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 4(2): 410-418 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2009.09.006)
Liang, X., Reiner, D., Gibbins, J. and Li, J. (2010) “Getting ready for carbon capture and storage by issuing capture options.” Environment and Planning A, 42(6): 1286-1307 (DOI: 10.1068/a42417)
Liang, X., Reiner, D. and Li, J. (2011) “Perceptions of opinion leaders towards CCS demonstration projects in China.” Applied Energy, 88(5): 1873-1885 (DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.10.034)
Li, J., Liang, X., Reiner, D., Gibbins, J., Lucquiaud, M. and Chalmers, H. (2011) “Financing new power plants ‘CCS ready’ in China – a case study of Shenzhen city.” Energy Procedia, 4: 2572-2579 (DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.155)
Reiner, D. and Liang, X. (2011) “Stakeholder views on financing carbon capture and storage demonstration projects in China.” Environmental Science and Technology, 46(2): 643-651 (DOI: 10.1021/es203037j)
Brunsting, S., Upham, P., Dütschke, E., De Best Waldhober, M., Oltra, C., Desbarats, J., Reiner, D. et al (2011) “Communicating CCS: applying communications theory to public perceptions of carbon capture and storage.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 5(6): 1651-1662 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2011.09.012)
Reiner, D. (2011) “Learning lessons on carbon storage.” Nature Climate Change, 1(2): 96-98 (DOI: 10.1038/nclimate1103)
Li, J., Liang, X., Cockerill, T., Gibbins, J. and Reiner, D. (2012) “Opportunities and barriers for implementing CO2 capture ready designs: a case study of stakeholder perceptions in Guangdong, China.” Energy Policy, 45: 243-251 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2012.02.025)
Liang, X. and Reiner, D.M. (2013) “The evolution of stakeholder perceptions of deploying CCS technologies in China: survey results from three stakeholder consultations in 2006, 2009 and 2012.” Energy Procedia, 37: 7361-7368 (DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2013.06.677)
Liang, X. and Reiner, D. (2013) “Resolving the tension between CCS deployment and Chinese energy security.” Environmental Science and Technology, 47(10): 4963-4964 (DOI: 10.1021/es4011338)
Ter Mors, E., Terwel, B.W., Daamen, D.D.L., Reiner, D.M. et al (2013) “A comparison of techniques used to collect informed public opinions about CCS: opinion quality after focus group discussions versus information-choice questionnaires.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 18: 256-263 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.07.015)
Liang, X., Ascui, F. and Reiner, D. (2013) “Emissions: will China expand on its carbon trading?” Nature, 499(7456): 29 (DOI: 10.1038/499029b)
Chyong, C.K. and Reiner, D.M. (2015) “Economics and politics of shale gas in Europe.” Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy, 4(1): 69-83 (DOI: 10.5547/2160-5890.4.1.cchy)
Ashworth, P., Wade, S., Reiner, D. and Liang, X. (2015) “Developments in public communications on CCS.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 40: 449-458 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2015.06.002)
Reiner, D.M. (2015) “Where can I go to see one? Risk communications for an ‘imaginary technology’.” Journal of Risk Research, 18(6): 710-713 (DOI: 10.1080/13669877.2015.1040657)
He, X. and Reiner, D. (2016) “Electricity demand and basic needs: empirical evidence from China’s households.”” Energy Policy, 90: 212-221 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2015.12.033)
Reiner, D.M. (2016) “Learning through a portfolio of carbon capture and storage demonstration projects.” Nature Energy, 1(1) (DOI: 10.1038/nenergy.2015.11)
Viñuales, J.E., Depledge, J., Reiner, D.M. and Lees, E. (2017) “Climate policy after the Paris 2015 climate conference.” Climate Policy, 17(1): 1-8 (DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2016.1242060)
He, X. and Reiner, D. (2017) “Why consumers switch energy suppliers: the role of individual attitudes.” Energy Journal, 38(1): 25-53 (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.38.6.hxia)
Honegger, M. and Reiner, D. (2018) “The political economy of negative emissions technologies: consequences for international policy design.” Climate Policy, 18(3): 306-321 (DOI: 10.1080/14693062.2017.1413322)
Bui, M., Adjiman, C.S., Bardow, A., Anthony, E.J., Boston, A., Brown, S., Reiner, D.M. et al (2018) “Carbon capture and storage (CCS): the way forward.” Energy and Environmental Science, 11(5): 1062-1176 (DOI: 10.1039/c7ee02342a)
Guan, D., Meng, J., Reiner, D.M., Zhang, N., Shan, Y., Mi, Z., Shao, S., Liu, Z., Zhang, Q. and Davis, S.J. (2018) “Structural decline in China’s CO2 emissions through transitions in industry and energy systems.” Nature Geoscience, 11: 551-555 (DOI: 10.1038/s41561-018-0161-1)
Newbery, D.M., Reiner, D.M. and Ritz, R.A. (2019) “The political economy of a carbon price floor for power generation.” The Energy Journal, 40(1) (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.40.1.dnew)
Ostfeld, R., Reiner, D.M., Howarth, D. and Krasny, P. (2019) “Peeling back the label: exploring sustainable palm oil ecolabelling and consumption in the United Kingdom.” Environmental Research Letters, 14: 014001 (DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/aaf0e4)
Chan, J.H. and Reiner, D. (2019) “‘Dominance by birthright’? Reconfiguration of firm boundaries to acquire new resources and capabilities.” Industrial Management and Data Systems, 119(9): 1888-1907 (DOI: 10.1108/IMDS-04-2019-0258)
Schnellmann, M.A., Chyong, C.K., Reiner, D.M. and Scott, S.A. (2019) “Deploying gas power with CCS: the role of operational flexibility, merit order and the future energy system.” International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 91: 102838 (DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2019.102838)
Hannula, I. and Reiner, D.M. (2019) “Near-term potential of biofuels, electrofuels and battery electric vehicles in decarbonising road transport.” Joule, 13(10): 2390-2402 (DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2019.08.013)
Chan, J.H. and Reiner, D. (2019) “Evolution in inter-firm governance along the transport biofuel value chain in Maritime Silk Road countries.” Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, 122: 268-282 (DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2018.12.006)
Ajayi, V. and Reiner, D. (2020) “European industrial energy intensity: innovation, environmental regulation, and price effects.” Energy Journal, 41(4): 75-98 (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.41.4.vaja)
Markusson, N., Balta-Ozkan, N., Chilvers, J., Healey, P., Reiner, D. and McLaren, D. (2020) “Social science sequestered.” Frontiers in Climate, 2 June 2020 (DOI: 10.3389/fclim.2020.00002)
Ostfeld, R. and Reiner, D.M. (2020) “Public views of Scotland’s path to decarbonization: evidence from citizens’ juries and focus groups.” Energy Policy, 140: 111332 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.111332)
Pozo, C., Galán-Martín, A., Reiner, D., MacDowell, N. and Guillén-Gosálbez, G. (2020) “Equity in allocating carbon dioxide removal quotas.” Nature Climate Change, 10(7): 640-646 (DOI: 10.1038/s41558-020-0802-4)
Zhou, W., Moncaster, A., Reiner, D.M. and Guthrie, P. (2020) “Developing a generic System Dynamics model for building stock transformation towards energy efficiency and low-carbon development.” Energy and Buildings, 224: 110246 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110246)
Zhou, W., O’Neill, E., Moncaster, A., Reiner, D.M. and Guthrie, P. (2020) “Forecasting urban residential stock turnover dynamics using system dynamics and Bayesian model averaging.” Applied Energy, 275: 115388 (DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115388)
Clulow, Z., Ferguson, M., Ashworth, P. and Reiner, D. (2021) “Comparing public attitudes towards energy technologies in Australia and the UK: the role of political ideology.” Global Environmental Change, 70: 102327 (DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102327)
Corry, O. and Reiner, D.M. (2021) “Protests and policies: how radical social movement activists engage with climate policy dilemmas.” Sociology, 55(1): 197-217 (DOI: 10.1177/0038038520943107)
Debnath, R., Bardhan, R., Reiner, D.M. and Miller, J.R. (2021) “Political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental dimensions of electric vehicle adoption in the United States: a social-media interaction analysis.” Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 152: 111707 (DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111707)
Han, Y., Lam, J.C.K., Li, V.O. and Reiner, D. (2021) “A Bayesian LSTM model to evaluate the effects of air pollution control regulations in Beijing, China.” Environmental Science and Policy, 115: 26-34 (DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2020.10.004)
MacDowell, N., Sunny, N., Brandon, N., Herzog, H., Ku, A.Y., Maas, W., Ramirez, A., Reiner, D.M., Sant, G.N. and Shah, N. (2021) “The hydrogen economy: a pragmatic path forward.” Joule (forthcoming)
Negri, V., Galán-Martín, A., Pozo, C., Fajardy, M., Reiner, D.M., Mac Dowell, N. and Guillén-Gosálbez, G. (2021) “Life cycle optimization of BECCS supply chains in the European Union.” Applied Energy, 298: 117252 (DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117252)
Books, monographs, reports & case studies
Newbery, D., Reiner, D., Jamasb, T., Steinberg, R., Toxvaerd, F. and Noël, P. (2009) Carbon capture and storage (CCS): analysis of incentives and rules in a European repeated game situation. London: UK Department of Energy and Climate Change.
Ozawa, M., Chaplin, J., Pollitt, M., Reiner, D. and Warde, P. (2019) In search of good energy policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Book chapters
Reiner, D.M. (2006) “From public understanding to public policy: public views on energy, technology and climate science in the United States.” In Cannon, J. and Sperling, D. (eds.): Driving climate change. Burlington, MA: Elsevier Press, pp.201-216
Reiner, D.M., Gibbins, J. and Holloway, S. (2008) Bridging technologies: can carbon capture and storage offer a bridge to a sustainable energy future in the UK? In: Grubb, M., Jamasb, T. and Pollitt, M.G. (eds.) Delivering a low-carbon electricity system. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.414-442
Atoche-Kong, C., Nuttall, W.J., Cobas-Flores, E. and Reiner, D.M. (2010) “Embracing the opportunities of a carbon constrained world: strategic options for global cement companies.” In van Geenhuizen, M. Nuttall, W. and Gibson, D. (eds.): Energy and innovation: structural change and policy implications. West Lafayette, IN: Purdue University Press, pp.311-342
Reiner, D.M. (2020) “The political economy of carbon capture and storage.” In: Bui, M. and Mac Dowell, N. (eds.) Carbon capture and storage. London: Royal Society of Chemistry, pp.536-558
Conference papers
Curry, T., Reiner, D.M., Ansolabehere, S. and Herzog, H.J. (2004) “How aware is the public of carbon capture and storage?” In Rubin, E.S., Keith, D.W. and Gilboy, C.F. (eds.) Proceedings of the International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies: vol.1: Peer-reviewed papers and plenary presentations (7th), 5-9 September 2004, Vancouver, Canada. Cheltenham: IEA Greenhouse Gas Programme, pp.[1-9]
Working papers
Bugnion, V. and Reiner, D.M. (1999) “A game of climate chicken: can EPA regulate greenhouse gases before the U.S. ratifies the Kyoto Protocol?” Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Report No.57
Reiner, D.M. (2006) “From public understanding to public policy: public views on energy, technology and climate science in the United States.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.0607. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Reiner, D.M. (2007) “2006 EPRG public opinon survey on energy security: policy preferences and personal behaviour.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.0706. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Liang, X., Reiner, D., Gibbins, J. and Li, J. (2007) “Financing capture ready coal-fired power plants in China by issuing capture options.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.0728. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Reiner, D.M. (2008) “A looming rhetorical gap: a survey of public communications activities for carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.0801. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Liang, X., Reiner, D. and Neuhoff, K. (2008) “Current legal and institutional frameworks for investing in lower carbon electricity in China.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG0828. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Chyong Chi, K., Reiner, D.M. and Nuttall, W.J. (2009) “Dynamics of the UK natural gas industry: system dynamics modelling and long-term energy policy analysis.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG0913. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Reiner, D.M. and Nuttall, W.J. (2009) “Public and social acceptability of geological disposal of carbon dioxide and radioactive waste: similarities and differences.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG0918. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Chyong, C.K., Noël, P. and Reiner, D.M. (2010) “The economics of the Nord Stream pipeline system.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG1026. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Chan, J.H. and Reiner, D. (2011) “Dynamics of evolution in the global fuel-ethanol industry.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG1111. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
Platchkov, L., Pollitt, M.G., Reiner, D. and Shaorshadze, I. (2011) “2010 EPRG Public Opinion Survey: policy preferences and energy saving measures.” Electricity Policy Research Group Working Papers, No.EPRG1122. Cambridge: University of Cambridge.
