Environment and Sustainability

Energy poverty, or fuel poverty, is defined as the difficulty of securing sufficient energy for basic household needs such as cooking, hot water, lighting, heating or cooling and operating electrical appliances. It is a multidimensional problem that depends on the availability, affordability, quality, reliability and safety of energy sources, supply networks and electric appliances. 

Does the “water-for-energy” deal provide the region with a blueprint for rapprochement through climate protection?

According to the World Bank, all five Nordic countries are among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of renewable energy production per capita. These countries have made significant commitments to achieving a sustainable and green economy, setting ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of renewable energy sources.

A conversation with Dr. David Dunetz about his fellowship experience and the importance of sustained international exchange of knowledge in policy debates, and especially in addressing the crises of climate and democracy in the 21st century.

Germany has ambitious targets to drastically cut its greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years and to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. This Spotlight takes a closer look at the German government’s plans announced so far to move forward the Energiewende, a task that has become even more urgent in light of the fossil fuel price increases and security of supply concerns that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

“Energiewende” (German for “energy transition”) is the term used in Germany to describe the country’s efforts to transition away from an energy system dominated by fossil and nuclear fuels towards an efficient and sustainable energy system based predominantly or entirely on renewable energy sources. This text provides an overview of the “Energiewende”, whose roots can be traced back to the first large protests in Germany against the use of nuclear power in the 1970s.  

As Germany has few natural resources, energy efficiency helps its industry to lower energy costs and reduce dependency on countries that export fossil energy. Also the long-term goal of reaching 100% renewable energy produced in Germany can only be met if energy efficiency is optimized.

One of the most influential European practice schemes to support energy efficiency investments in the building sector with public funds, was developed jointly by the German government with the KfW bank in 2006. Notwithstanding the program's scale, the annual renovation rate is still only around 1%, while around 3% is needed for a decarbonization of the building stock by 2045.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) allow energy consumption of buildings to be compared, turning their energy efficiency into a selling argument when selling or renting out a building. This analysis looks at the status of EPCs in Germany.