The Ruhr region of Germany was once a mining stronghold; now residents are seeking new livelihoods. The last hard coal plants in Germany will close in 2018, but what happens to their communities when they do? Emma Bryce looks at a just transition.
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Was Germany’s unrealistic 2020 climate target worth it?
By all accounts, Germany will fail to reach a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020, coming in closer to 30%. How could the country go so wrong? Craig Morris says the target was practically out of reach when it was set.
It is high time to localise the energy transition
Donald Trump pulling out of the Paris Agreement is not the end of the world. Cities and towns are moving ahead in localising the energy transition but to fully harness their potential, local governments need to be empowered and equipped with the right tools, argues Philipp Thaler.
Less Diesel, More Cargo Bike Sharing
With one “diesel summit” following swiftly on the heels of another these days, we should not lose sight of the overarching mobility transition project. Cargo bike sharing should be promoted to give city dwellers more alternatives to cars, says Sophia Becker.
Private car ownership is ridiculously wasteful
Here’s a question: how big is the entire power plant fleet in your country compared to the fleet of vehicles? Craig Morris investigated the matter for Germany. Before you read on, take a guess: which one is bigger?
Celebrating Clean Tech on Indigenous Peoples’ Day
With special knowledge of their regional environments, indigenous people are a substantial resource to build comprehensive solutions to climate change. So on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, instead of celebrating Columbus’ impact on 10,000-year old cultures, Carolyn Fortuna of Cleantechnica looked at ways that indigenous people are taking direct climate action.
German renewable energy surcharge drops slightly
The decrease doesn’t mean that less is being spent. Rather, the calculation is more complex, and two factors unrelated to the cost of green electricity play a major role. Craig Morris explains.
Revision of European buildings law offers chance for ‘multiple benefits’ wins
Renovating existing buildings and making sure new builds are fit for purpose are the crucial tenets of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), which the European Parliament’s industry committee voted on last week. Sam Morgan of Euractiv.com takes a closer look.
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 slow demise of diesel cars in Europe
There are signs that the diesel scandal is starting to turn customers away from the technology. A list of sales by manufacturer reveals the reliance of German carmakers on diesel. Craig Morris investigates.