All posts tagged: Christian Democratic Party of Germany (CDU)

Wind-wreck: Germany’s Grand Coalition derails the turbine train

January 6, 2020

While ostensibly trying to craft policy that both transforms Germany’s energy sector to 65% renewables by 2035 and protects the security of Germany’s 20,000 coal workers, the Grand Coalition Government’s halting energy policies have just cost the jobs of over 30,000 workers through the wind sector. Facing the worst domestic slowdown in 20 years, manufacturers spent much of 2019 hemorrhaging jobs, going bankrupt or heading into reconstruction. As 2020 begins, L. Michael Buchsbaum brings us up to date.

Irrational thinking: Merkel’s government stunningly green-lights new coal-fired power plant

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

December 26, 2019

Despite all their rhetoric, Angela Merkel’s Grand Coalition government is clearly not all that interested in really powering past coal. The latest evidence is its decision to allow the Uniper-owned 1,200 MW hard coal-fired power plant, Datteln 4, to come online in 2020 — against the recommendations of the Coal Commission. As the government embarks on a bizarre sales campaign peddling the idea that Datteln’s advanced technology will somehow help improve the climate, activists are organizing a protest wave that will dwarf previous actions around the embattled Hambach Forest. Michael Buchsbaum reviews the situation.

Fail: Merkel’s market-friendly Climate Plan banks on fairy tales

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

October 10, 2019

After months of deliberations, in late September Germany’s ruling coalition, made up of the center-right CDU/CSU and the Centrist SPD unveiled their new climate action strategy—to near universal disappointment. Now approved by the government, the plan’s architects hope a weak plan is better than none at all. L. Michael Buchsbaum summarizes

Sound and fury: Merkel’s Climate Cabinet and its shortcomings

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

September 19, 2019

Despite increasing public pressure, both coalition parties within Merkel’s so-called Climate Cabinet favor taxes or market based trading schemes to tackle the climate crisis instead of new regulations to increase renewable energy or hard measures to phase out fossil fuels. L. Michael Buchsbaum takes a look

Germany eager to become global leader in developing hydrogen technologies

by Energiewende Team

August 7, 2019

Germany intends to invest €100 million annually into the research of hydrogen technologies. This could be the business of the future, as well as the country’s next top export. However, the future of green gas is still extremely shaky. Daniel Eck reports.

#FridaysForFuture: changing behavior – and the debate

by Craig Morris

May 2, 2019

Politicians and energy sector professionals have scratched their heads for years about how to get citizens – whom they generally refer to as “consumers” – to change their habits in order to protect the climate. Now, a young generation is telling decision-makers that we can’t wait. Was ethics the answer the whole time? Craig Morris takes a look.

Gas wars part one: let’s be honest about Germany’s growing dependence on fossil gas

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

March 19, 2019

With the ink barely dry on Germany’s Coal Commission report recommending a phase out by 2038, the oil and gas industry is breaking out the champagne. While environmentalists criticize the plan’s particulars, the other side is celebrating the slaying of their strongest competitor. And they’re translating that joy into furious lobbying aimed at ensuring that renewables don’t fill the majority of the void as coal plants are shuttered. L. Michael Buchsbaum explains.

Will Germany transform its coal fields into renewable energy sites?

by L. Michael Buchsbaum

February 15, 2019

Legally all former coal fields have to be cleaned up or reclaimed following the end of mining activities. While most former surface sites in Germany are flooded, more sold coal sites are being redeveloped as renewable energy sources. L. Michael Buchsbaum talks to developers to see how it works.

Germany’s politicos close eyes to Energiewende’s popularity

by Paul Hockenos

January 16, 2019

Despite polls showing that Germans want more climate protection, Germany’s political parties, with one exception, shun the topic. Paul Hockenos argues that the standstill can’t go on if Germany expects to hit its climate targets.

Berlin divided over cars’ CO2 limits, hindering EU decision

by Energiewende Team

July 5, 2018

As it decarbonizes its energy sector, Germany’s transportation emissions have remained stubbornly high, even increasing in the past two years. The car industry refuses to modernize even as electric vehicles gain popularity worldwide. Claire Stam of Euractiv takes a look.

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All posts tagged: Christian Democratic Party of Germany (CDU)

Wind-wreck: Germany’s Grand Coalition derails the turbine train

Irrational thinking: Merkel’s government stunningly green-lights new coal-fired power plant

Fail: Merkel’s market-friendly Climate Plan banks on fairy tales

Sound and fury: Merkel’s Climate Cabinet and its shortcomings

Germany eager to become global leader in developing hydrogen technologies

#FridaysForFuture: changing behavior – and the debate

Gas wars part one: let’s be honest about Germany’s growing dependence on fossil gas

Will Germany transform its coal fields into renewable energy sites?

Germany’s politicos close eyes to Energiewende’s popularity

Berlin divided over cars’ CO2 limits, hindering EU decision