Three Hundred Thousand Clean Energy Jobs
Policy Paper
Three Hundred Thousand Clean Energy Jobs
Low Carbon Growth in Germany and the U.S.
Germany has managed to create a resilient industry in a forward looking policy arena and technology sector that "does well by doing good": Renewables created at least 300,000 jobs according to the official statistics. In reality, the numbers are almost certainly higher. Renewables can create income in many more ways than traditional energy systems, and give jobs to many more people per unit of energy used. In addition, they are good for the environment and improve energy security: all renewables are local.
This policy paper analyzes the succes of the German renewables industry and discusses which of the lessons learned could be applied to the U.S. states of Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. In cooperation with the Blue Green Alliance the paper will be released during the Midwestern Green Jobs Tour from July 12-16. The tour will feature discussions with Ms. Christine Wörlen, the paper's author and former Head of the Renewable Energy Division of the German Energy Agency dena, as well as Aaron Peterson, Vice President for Business and Project Development at juwi Prairie Wind Power LLC.
Click here for the full publication (16 pages, pdf, 940KB)
Contents
I. The Renewable Sector has made the German economy more resilient
1. Germany after the World Financial Crisis
2. Germany’s renewable energy sector
II. What makes Germany so successful in renewable energy?
1. Policy frameworks for renewable energy deployment in Germany
The electricity sector
Heating with renewable energy
Biofuels
2. Action on the State level or on the Federal level?
III. Which of the lessons learned could be applied to the states of the U.S. Midwest?
1. Indiana
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
Christine Wörlen
Christine Wörlen is the Midwestern Green Jobs Fellow 2010. From February to September 2010 the former Head of the Renewable Energy Division of the German Energy Agency dena, supports the Midwestern Green Jobs Project of the Heinrich-Böll-Foundation and the Blue Green Alliance.
Based on research and discussions with stakeholders from the Midwest, Christine asseses current and future measures of job creation in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency. The policy measures will be presented and discussed during the Midwestern Green Jobs Tour 2010. Key findings from the tour will culminate in a report of policy recommendations that will be presented in Washington, DC prior to the Congressional elections.
For more information on the Midwestern Green Jobs Project please contact Mr. Till Kötter at +1 202 464 4930 or mail to till@boell.org
This project is supported by the European Commisssion. The EC is not responsible for the content of the project.