⚡ Quick-Fire Interview: Meet Our New Colleague Julian Baehr

Since October 1, Julian Baehr has been strengthening our “Climate-Neutral Industry and Companies” team:

🔍 1. Please introduce yourself briefly.
Sure, happy to! I originally studied pharmacy. During my studies, I realized that the chemical and pharmaceutical industry has great potential to use resources more efficiently and reduce its environmental impact. So after obtaining my license as a pharmacist, I chose an EU-funded master’s program in sustainability assessment and life cycle management. This led to my PhD, in which I analyzed various climate policy instruments of the EU Green Deal to develop approaches for more efficient and methodologically harmonized GHG reporting for companies. During that time, I also completed a research stay at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, where I contributed scientifically to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). All of these experiences help me today to assess climate policy instruments in the chemical and energy-intensive industries from an interdisciplinary perspective, to support companies in these sectors with implementation, and in doing so to make a small contribution to decarbonizing industry.

❓ 2. What particularly attracted you to IREES?
What appealed to me most about IREES was the combination of research and policy advice. I find it really exciting to analyze measures of current policy instruments in research projects, estimate their GHG reduction potential, and at the same time examine their cost-benefit balance. I think this combination shows the direct value of one’s own work very clearly, while also keeping you close to day-to-day political developments.

🚩 3. Which department do you work in and what are your responsibilities?
I work in the “Climate-Neutral Industry and Companies” business unit. There, I will develop and evaluate transformation pathways for the chemical and energy-intensive industries, conduct life cycle and material flow analyses, and assess climate policy measures.

Great to have you on board, Julian! We’re delighted to welcome you to the IREES team. 🎉