Currently, there is a lot of confusion around the legal status of unconventional gas extraction in Germany. Lorenzo Cremonese summarizes Germany’s existing experience with fracking and clarifies open questions around the proposed new fracking legislation.
All posts tagged: Green Party
Germany’s decision to phase out nuclear power is fundamentally sensible from an economic perspective
Germany has made a formal commitment to phase out the use of nuclear power by 2022. Erik Gawel and Sebastian Strunz write on the implications of the strategy for Germany’s future energy mix and whether the approach adopted in the country could function as a model for other European states. They argue that while the target is undeniably challenging, long-term it is both economically sensible and feasible to phase out both fossil fuels and nuclear energy in favour of renewables.
What Germany can learn from California’s innovative start-up culture – An Interview with Cem Oezdemir
Smart energy infrastructure and an entrepreneurial spirit will play an important role in driving energy transitions around the world. Cem Özdemir, Co-Chairman of the German Green Party, traveled to San Francisco to witness how innovative solutions are driving low-carbon development in the Bay Area. Here he explains how California could serve as a model for German start-ups.
Madness by design: A voluntary climate levy with no climate effect
It’s really gone too far: German Energy Secretary Sigmar Gabriel’s already minimal attempt to save Germany’s 2020 climate target of reducing emissions by 40% compared with 1990 levels has been watered down further so that it is barely recognizable as a coherent climate policy. Lili Fuhr takes a look at the German coal discussion.
The French energy transition: hope for the best, prepare for the worst?
Yesterday, the French senate passed its amended draft of a French energy transition law. Kathrin Glastra takes an in-depth look at the outcome.
Electro-mobility gets going in Germany – albeit slowly
Germany is a bit of a laggard when it comes to electric cars, and the Energiewende has not focused on the transport sector enough. But it seems like this is about to change. Craig Morris investigates.
German government passes climate package
Yesterday, Chancellor Merkel’s cabinet officially adopted a set of new laws to help the country reach its 2020 carbon emissions reduction target of 40 percent relative to 1990. Craig Morris says the winner is… efficiency!
Germany debates programme to save 2020 climate target
If nothing happens, Germany will miss its 2020 climate targets. Mat Hope explains the situation and finds that additional efforts at decarbonizing the power sector are unavoidable.
Energy Transition may proceed without electricity storage for 20 years – transport, heat and chemicals markets will drive growth
A recent study commissioned by Agora Energiewende comes to the conclusion that the German Energiewende does not need new electricity storage within the next 20 years. Instead, flexible fossil-fueled power plants and other intermediate options can deliver the needed power and grid stability at a lower price. Matthias Lang sums up the finding of the report.
Germany’s Renewable Energy Law Is About to Look More American
The next phase of Germany’s energy transition takes competitive markets into account. This way, the German Energiewende could look more American, argues Betham Paulos.