Public transportation offers the potential to reduce emissions and improve quality of life – but only if it’s finished. In Honduras, the corruption of the “Trans450” project ended with boarded up bus stations and frustrated citizens, writes Rebecca Bertram.
Author: Rebecca Bertram
European rail transport is part of European climate policy
In Europe, the transport sector accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gases. A transformation of European mobility is therefore crucial for combating climate change.
The new German government must align the Energiewende with the European Union
Germany has been seen as a leader in renewable energy in the European Union, but there is still a long way to go. To revitalize both European and German energy transitions, Rebecca Bertram proposes three strategies for Germany’s new government to put in place at the EU level: better goals, binding goals, and the long-awaited coal phaseout.
The Energiewende as a European project – What options do German policymakers have?
We’ve talked before about the European Union’s efforts to deliver clean energy for all Europeans, and the fact that Germany’s energy transition will need Europe to be successful. But how will that cooperation look in practice? Today, Rebecca Bertram discusses a recent report about how German policymakers can shape the European energy debate.
Why Germany needs a European Energiewende
The European Union is currently negotiating its 2030 energy goals. So far, the German Energiewende has been criticized for being too inward-looking. Yet it is in Germany’s immediate interest to embrace the European dimension. Rebecca Bertram looks at why Germany needs a European Energiewende.
Turning Point: Decoupling Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Economic Growth
2015 marks an important year for international climate politics. The challenge is to find ways in which economic growth can be decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption. In some parts of the world, this decoupling trend is already happening, as a recent Heinrich Boell Foundation study finds.
The Green Peace Dividend – Why green technologies matter for international security
Violent conflicts and security crises around the world have many different causes and effects. The vast majority of them, however, are in one way or another related to energy policy. Yet making this link apparent to policy makers has been challenging. Experts from the foreign policy, security and energy communities have been reluctant to fully grasp the security implications of promising green energy technology and market developments, argue Rebecca Bertram and Charlotte Beck.
What Germany’s energy transition means for the United States
Germany has been a pioneer in pushing for a renewable energy revolution, making the technologies globally competitive with conventional energy. Now, Germany is passing the baton to countries such as the United States which is increasingly taking over the clean energy race. Rebecca Bertram takes a look.
Reflections on the Energiewende 2014
As 2014 draws to a close, the holidays provide the opportunity to look back on the year and thank you for your continued interest in our work. Rebecca Bertram summarizes the discussions and changes for the Energiewende in 2014.
Welcome to our New Energiewende Blog
Germany has drawn a lot of international attention for its aim to switch to a renewable energy economy and leave nuclear and fossil energy behind. There are mixed views on the German Energy Transition – or Energiewende – and on the implications on the future role of coal, trends in energy prices and effects on carbon emissions. In many respects, the German Energiewende serves as a reference case from which other countries can learn important lessons. Thus, our website aims to explain to an international audience what is currently going on in Germany. The blog serves as a platform for communicating the German story internationally in a concise, accurate, relevant and timely manner.
But the story doesn’t end here. We want this blog to reflect some of the key questions that you may have on what is going on in Germany right now. In fact, we invite you to be part of our discussion. Therefore, the blog will not only include regular posts from our lead author, Craig Morris, but will also be open to your own contributions and comments. Feel free to contact us at: Energiewende@us.boell.org
We look forward to sharing our exciting story with you and including you in our policy discussions. Please sign up here to receive regular updates on the Energiewende.
Your German Energy Transition team
Rebecca Bertram & Alexander Franke