Ensuring comparability of cost-benefit analyses in the waste management sector

"Political decisions are often based on cost-benefit analyses or life cycle analyses. The results are discussed thoroughly but the methods and criteria lying behind are not in the focus. Nevertheless, these issues are crucial for the comparison of different studies and results which differ considerably depending on the point of view. Commissioned by the German Federal Enviroment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) Fraunhofer UMSICHT has developed an improved assessment scheme which could secure comparability of cost-benefit analyses in the waste management sector. 17 studies were compared."