Professor of Technology Policy
BSc (McGill University), MA (Princeton University), PhD (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
My research focuses on the social licence to operate in a carbon-constrained world including public and stakeholder acceptability of low-carbon (and negative emissions) technologies. I investigate the challenges of reaching net zero including for ‘hard-to-abate’ sectors such as residential heating, heavy industry (steel, chemicals, cement, etc) and international aviation as well as greenhouse gas removals (blue carbon, direct air capture, bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, soils and forests).
I’m a member of the Economics and Policy subject group at Cambridge Judge Business School, which analyses how economics can improve growth and business performance.
Professional experience
Professor Reiner is a political scientist and is currently Professor of 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
Professor 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.
Publications
- Selected publications
- Journal articles
- Books, monographs, reports and case studies
- Book chapters
- Conference papers
- Working papers
Selected publications
- Chyong, C.K., Reiner, D.M. and Aggarwal, D. (2023) “Market power and long-term gas contracts: the case of Gazprom in Central and Eastern European gas markets.” Energy Journal, 44(1) (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.44.1.cchy)
- Cobo, S., Negri, V., Valente, A., Reiner, D.M., Hamelin, L., Mac Dowell, N. and Guillén-Gosálbez, G. (2023) “Sustainable scale-up of negative emissions technologies and practices: where to focus.” Environmental Research Letters, 18(2): 023001 (DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/acacb3)
- Mac Dowell, N., Reiner, D.M. and Haszeldine, R.S. (2022) “Comparing approaches for carbon dioxide removal.” Joule, 6(10): 2233-2239 (DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2022.09.005)
- Kang, J. and Reiner, D.M. (2022) “What is the effect of weather on household electricity consumption? Empirical evidence from Ireland.” Energy Economics, 111: 106023 (DOI: 10.1016/j.eneco.2022.106023)
- Clulow, Z. and Reiner, D.M. (2022) “Democracy, economic development and low‐carbon energy: when and why does democratization promote energy transition?” Sustainability, 14(20): 13213 (DOI: 10.3390/su142013213)
- 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, 5(10): 2524-2529 (DOI: 10.1016/j.joule.2021.09.014)
Journal articles
- Bai, F., Zhao, F., Liu, M., Liu, Z., Hao, H. and Reiner, D.M. (2025) “Assessing the viability of renewable hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol in decarbonizing heavy-duty trucks.” Applied Energy, 383: 125293 (DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.125293)
- Deng, X., Teng, F., Zhang, X., Fan, J.-L., Forsell, N. and Reiner, D.M. (2025) “Co-deploying biochar and bioenergy with carbon capture and storage improves cost-effectiveness and sustainability of China’s carbon neutrality.” One Earth, 8(1): 101172 (DOI: 10.1016/j.oneear.2024.12.008)
- Hasanefendic, S., Hoogstraaten, M., Bloemendal, M., Reiner, D. et al (2025) “Sustainable energy experiments and demonstrations: reviewing research, market and societal trends.” Energy Research and Social Science, 122: 104018 (DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2025.104018)
- Bai, F., Zhao, F., Liu, X., Liu, Z. and Reiner, D.M. (2024) “A cost-effectiveness comparison of renewable energy pathways for decarbonizing heavy-duty vehicles in China.” Energy Conversion and Management, 322: 119111 (DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119111)
- Chyong, C.K., Pollitt, M., Reiner, D. and Li, C. (2024) “Modelling flexibility requirements in deep decarbonisation scenarios: the role of conventional flexibility and sector coupling options in the European 2050 energy system.” Energy Strategy Reviews, 52: 101322 (DOI: 10.1016/j.esr.2024.101322)
- Clulow, Z. and Reiner, D. (2024) “How to distinguish climate sceptics, antivaxxers, and persistent sceptics: evidence from a multi-country survey of public attitudes.” PLoS ONE, 19(10): e0310325 (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310325)
- Koponen, K., Braun, J., Cobo Gutierrez, S., Reiner, D. et al (2024) “Responsible carbon dioxide removals and the EU’s 2040 climate target.” Environmental Research Letters, 19(9): 091006 (DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ad6d83)
- Li, C., Chyong, C.K., Reiner, D.M. and Roques, F. (2024) “Taking a portfolio approach to wind and solar deployment: the case of the National Electricity Market in Australia.” Applied Energy
- Ajayi, V. and Reiner, D. (2023) “European industrial energy intensity: innovation, environmental regulation, and price effects.” Energy Journal, 41(4): 3529 (DOI: 10.5547/01956574.41.4.vaja)
- Charitopoulos, V.M., Fajardy, M., Chyong, C.K. and Reiner, D.M. (2023) “The impact of 100% electrification of domestic heat in Great Britain.” iScience, 26(11): 108239 (DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108239)
- Cheng, D., Reiner, D.M., Yang, F. et al (2023) “Projecting future carbon emissions from cement production in developing countries.” Nature Communications,14: 8213 (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43660-x)
Books, monographs, reports and case studies
- Ozawa, M., Chaplin, J., Pollitt, M., Reiner, D. and Warde, P. (2019) In search of good energy policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- 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.
Book chapters
- 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
- 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., 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
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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., 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. (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.
- 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.
- 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
News and insights
Research centre news
White House report cites study on carbon removal technologies
The 2025 Economic Report of the President submitted to the US Congress cites research from the Energy Policy Research Group based at Cambridge Judge Business School on cost and scalability of carbon capture and storage.
Faculty news
What does 2025 have in store?
Cambridge Judge faculty offer their New Year’s thoughts on sustainability, enterprise, disinformation, the workplace and business education.
Governance, economics and policy
Not every sceptic is a conspiracy theorist
Governments seeking a societal response to major issues need a different approach to dispelling scepticism among single-issue sceptics and those more broadly sceptical, says research from the Energy Policy Research Group.
Media coverage
Express | 23 September 2022
The Express: Energy: UK taxpayers deserve an accounting of Liz Truss’s prize freeze, experts assert
Cambridge Judge Business School is featured in this Express article about the Energy Price Guarantee. It focuses on a new paper by the Energy Policy Research Group at CJBS ( co-authored by Michael Pollitt and David Reiner) which says taxpayers should be given transparency over who is benefitting from the energy cap, and whether these “war-time profits” are stimulating long term investment in the UK energy sector.
Cambridge Network | 15 March 2022
Cambridge Festival – can we save our planet?
David Reiner, senior lecturer in technology policy at Cambridge Judge Business School, is part of the Cambridge Festival “UK Energy price crisis” panel, exploring the implications and challenges involved in the crisis. They also discuss what the regulatory developments could mean over the short, medium, or long-term for the Treasury and to UK energy and climate policy more generally.
Fortune | 9 December 2021
Bitcoin miners have returned to the record activity they had before China’s crypto crackdown- but they are still looking for a home
Dr David Reiner, Associate Professor in Technology Policy at Cambridge Judge Business School, comments on Bitcoin miners and recovered hashrate. “What this does indicate is that even when you disrupt the largest single center for activity, the Bitcoin community seems to have shrugged it off,” Dr Reiner said, adding that the recovered hashrate displays the miners’ “remarkable resilience.”