Greening the Economy

April 14, 2014 - This paper demonstrates that an expansion of renewable energy sources is the only path to a secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy system until 2030 and beyond. Renewables not only drastically reduce emissions and other environmental and social burdens; they also reduce energy import dependency and hence increase energy security, strengthen local economies, and create jobs.  more»

 

 

Greening the Heartlands of Coal in Europe: Insights from a Czech-German-Polish Dialogue on Energy Issues

- March 21, 2014 - The impacts of the German energy transition on its European neighbors have hardly been addressed. In 2013, HBF, in cooperation with the Ecologic Institute, invited experts from the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland to discuss the prospects for better cross-border cooperation arising from Germany's energy transition. This report is the result of the trilateral energy expert group's discussion. Raffaele Piria, et.al. more»

 

 

Reexamining the United States’ shale gas success: Is Europe letting the fox in the henhouse?

- February 21, 2014 - Shale gas development continues to cause a heated debate on both sides of the Atlantic with the industry touting the increasing number of jobs within the sector, as well as lower CO2 emissions in comparison to coal and oil. Although both seem to be good news for US and EU policy makers and civil society, such arguments are often exaggerated and do not reflect less promising economic and environmental realities.  Olga Buto more»

 

 

Myths and Facts: The German Switch from Nuclear to Renewables

- February 11, 2014 - As a reaction to the nuclear disaster in Fukushima in March 2011, Germany decided to phase-out nuclear power by the year 2022. Three years later, we can see what the temporary effects have been and what the long-term effects are likely to be in the country's energy sector. Craig Morris more»

 

 

Germany’s PV Branch: The Once-Mighty Solar Industry in Germany is Straining to Reinvent Itself

- November 6, 2013 - The German PV industry finds itself faced by rock-bottom Chinese prices, a flooded market, and dwindling incentives across the EU that have cast much of the branch into an existential crisis. Paul Hockenos looks at how Germany’s remaining PV industry can reinvent itself. It did this once – to win its place in the sun – but can it do it again? Paul Hockenos more»

 

 

Local, Decentralized, Innovative: Why Germany’s Municipal Utilities are Right for the Energiewende

- September 27, 2013 -

 

Paul Hockenos more»

 

 

Capacity Energy Markets: a view from Germany and the United States

- September 9, 2013 - The German Energiewende shows that the current German electricity system can easily cope with 25 percent renewables. But exceeding these 25 percent will be a crossroad, as now event the strongest proponents of the Energiewende agree that Germany needs to reform its energy system to accommodate for the next influx of renewables. Rebecca Bertram more»

 

 

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2013

- July 11, 2013 - The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2013, launched on July 10th in Brussels, debunks the myth that the world is seeing a nuclear renaissance.Two years after Fukushima, global nuclear power generation continues to decline.  Mycle Schneider and Antony Froggatt more»

 

 

Writing About the Energiewende

- June 18, 2013 - Writing about Germany’s clean energy transition is notoriously difficult – for a number of reasons. And writing about it in book form is probably the hardest of all.  Paul Hockenos reviews four recent titles that tackle the topic. Paul Hockenos more»

 

 

Smart Growth: the Green Revolution

- June 3, 2013 - In his book Smart Growth: the Green Revolution, Ralf Fücks, President of the Heinrich Böll Foundation argues that while the calls for the end of growth are not realistic there is a possibility to follow a growth pathway that goes hand-in-hand with ecological sustainability. more»

 

 

HBS Tours Exploring the Energiewende

- May 28, 2013 - This summer the Heinrich Böll Foundation is leading several tours to enhance awareness of the renewable energy revolution in Europe. The tours include US congressional staff examining EU low carbon economies, US energy and climate funders looking at renewable communities, and American and European journalists focusing on environmental issues. more»

 

 

The Energiewende - the Result of a Powerful Mass Movement from Below

- May 10, 2013 - Nowhere is the economic impact of the German energy transition more evident than in Bavaria where land owners and farmers have taken advantage of the new incentives to become "prosumers". In this interview with Josef Goeppel, a conservative member of the Bundestag from Bavaria, it becomes clear how German traditional conservatives are grasping the relevance of the Energiewende.  more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #6

- February 19, 2013 - While the US energy sector is good for big business, Germany’s is good for citizens. Germans not only want clean power; they also want to make it themselves. When locals own and control their environment, the acceptance of renewables increases, argues Craig Morris.  Craig Morris more»

 

 

What is the German Energiewende?

- February 4, 2013 - Germany's path to a renewable energy economy will not succeed without smart grid technologies. Some say the energy transition is impossible. What is the Energiewende? Why is it worth doing and how do citizens and small businesses in Germany invest in renewables? Check out this video  more»

 

 

Smart Grids and the Energy Transformation: Mapping Smart Grid Activities in Germany

- February 1, 2013 -

Germany's tansition to a renewable energy economy will not succeed without smart grid technologies. They play an essential part in the "Energiewende" towards an electricity supply system based on high energy efficiency and changing renewable energy supplies. Upgrading the grid is the most urgent task, but restructuring it has to follow suit.

 

 

Marian Bichler more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #5

- January 31, 2013 - Germany's transition to renewable energies is one its signature public policies of the 21st century. However, the Energiewende was not created in a vacuum. In this paper the author discusses the Energiewende's overlooked American origins.  Paul Hockenos more»

 

 

Shale Gas: Unconventional and Unwanted

- December 19, 2012 -

Over the last decade, the US has seen a shale gas rush. This rapid development has put to a heavy burden on the environment and the human health. Given the controversial experience in the US, more voices in Europe call for an EU-wide moratorium on shale gas – for good reasons, argues this new report.  

Friends of the Earth Europe more»

 

 

Clean Break: The Story of Germany's Energy Transformation and What Americans Can Learn from It

- December 6, 2012 - A modern industrial economy, the biggest and most powerful in the European Union, is making a clean break from coal, oil and nuclear energy. It is on track to be running on 80% renewable energy by 2050. Some predict it could even reach 100% by then. The country is Germany, and what is happening there has a name: the Energiewende, or energy transformation  Osha Gray Davidson more»

 

 

Power and Profits in the Hands of the People

- December 5, 2012 - In September 2012, nine renewable energy policy makers and advocates from across the United States traveled to Germany to witness what amounts to a small town and rural revitalization phenomenon. What they learned broadened their perceptions, set the record straight on several prevalent myths about renewable energy, and spurred new ideas about how to move forward back home.  Diane Moss more»

 

 

The German Energy Transition

- November 28, 2012 - Germany has drawn a lot of attention for the Energiewende - the aim to switch to a renewable energy economy, phase out nuclear power and leave fossil fuels behind. But what exactly is the German energy transition: How does it works and what challenges lay ahead? Check out this new website.  Arne Jungjohann more»

 

 

What does the German Energy Transition mean for Jordan?

- October 26, 2012 - On September 26, Jordan’s renewable energy leaders discussed Germany’s energy transition in Amman. The key questions to be answered were how does the German Energy Transition work, what are the international reactions and what does it actually mean for Jordan? The workshop was organized by the Heinrich Böll Foundation Arab Middle East and EDAMA. Anna Leidreiter more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #4

- July 3, 2012 - Much of Europe is betting on offshore wind as a way of transforming its energy system into one which will be almost entirely based on renewable energies. Europe - and Germany - have seen a large influx of investment in this sector over the past years, and the quest for becoming the leading supply and manufacturing region is well underway - with seaports leading the way. Rebecca Bertram more»

 

 

International Resource Politics: New Challenges Demanding New Governance Approaches for a Green Economy

- July 5, 2012 - Natural resources are back on the agenda. After the rise of new economic powers such as China, India, and Brazil, global competition has perceptibly increased strategic concerns. Germany, the EU, the US and others have formulated raw material strategies that put concern over access and supply at center stage – but the environmental and the socio-political dimensions are widely neglected in these strategies. Raimund Bleischwitz, Bettina Bahn-Walkowiak, Felix Ekardt, Heidi Feldt and Lili Fuhr more»

 

 

Structural Change and Climate Protection: How Climate Policy Transforms the Economy and the Working World

- July 5, 2012 - Juergen Blazejczak and Dietmar Edler from the German Institute for Economic Research outline the economic consequences of a stringent climate policy. Here, the main emphasis is placed on the transformation of the working world in light of the intensified and accelerated structural change expected as a result from rigorous decarbonization measures. Jürgen Blazejczak and Dietmar Edler more»

 

 

The ‘Bleeding Heart’ Campaign to Help Big Energy in Germany

- June 29, 2012 - Energy from renewables is getting less and less expensive – while at the same time, private households have to pay more and more for it. This is obviously not due to the German Renewable Energy Act, which has been adopted by more than 50 countries meanwhile. Jürgen Trittin more»

 

 

Communities are Driving the German Energy Transition

- June 25, 2012 - The German Energy Transition is underway. Is it all a big government energy plan? No, says Arne Jungjohann. Policies do matter, but it is the citizens that are the driving force behind the transition to a renewable energy economy. more»

 

 

A Critique of the Green Economy. Toward Social and Environmental Equity

- June 7, 2012 - Since the first UN Conference on Environment and Development in 1992, we've seen a worsening of all important ecological trends, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and scarcity of resources.  This essay describes a policy of less and wealth measured in "just enough" to allow a decent life without poverty for all. Barbara Unmüßig, Wolfgang Sachs and Thomas Fatheuer more»

 

 

An Endless Wait with Uncertain Future: Unpacking the Energy Crisis

- June 6, 2012 - The urgent need to address climate change, the concerns of depleting fossil fuel reserves, volatile global oil prices and continued economic crisis amongst other reasons have put energy at the center of public policy debates.  While the discussions are centered around addressing energy security, often focused primarily around electricity generation, the more immediate energy crisis is in creating equitable energy access and eradicating energy poverty. Edited by Sunita Dubay and Srinivas Krishnaswamy more»

 

 

Low Hanging Fruit: Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Climate Finance, and Sustainable Development

- June 6, 2012 - In a time of economic hardship, dangerous climate change, and growing demand for reliable and cleaner sources of energy, global fossil fuel subsidies for production and consumption remain staggeringly high; however, momentum for subsidy reform is growing internationally. Greater transparency and equity need to be at the heart of such reforms, argues this report. Elizabeth Bast, Traci Romine, Stephen Kretzmann, Srinivas Krishnaswamy, Lo Sze Ping more»

 

 

Inside a Champion. An Analysis of the Brazilian Development Model

- June 7, 2012 - In the past 10 years, Brazil has undeniably gone through a remarkable process of transformation. The international community sees Brazil as success story. This collection of articles addresses the discrepancy between the perception of Brazil abroad and at home where NGOs and social movements have been criticizing the Brazilian development model. Edited by Dawid Danilo Bartelt more»

 

 

Biomassters Battle to Control the Green Economy

- June 6, 2012 - At Rio+20, the concept of the "green economy" focuses on industrial production from biomass as one way to overcome fossil fuel dependency. The push for a bio-based economy comes with a call for market-based mechanisms for the financialization of the Earth’s natural processes, re-branded as ‘ecosystem services’, which also encourage land and water grabs. etc Group and Heinrich Boell Foundation more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #3

- June 5, 2012 - Cooperatives have a vast history of playing important roles in supporting local economies in both the Midwestern United States and Germany. Today, a significant opportunity exists to build on existing cooperative models in the Midwest to also supply sources of local, renewable energy production. Amanda Bilek more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #2

- June 4, 2012 - Germany was a first mover in the solar energy sector. Recent bankruptcies call its early commitment into question, but a closer look shows how well positioned Germany remains – and why it’s a good time for the US to get on board. Craig Morris more»

 

 

Fighting Climate Change and Phasing Out Nuclear Power Are Two Sides of the Same Coin

- June 4, 2012 - Can the world fight climate change without nuclear power? According to a recent Washington Post op-ed, Germany's decision to shut down eight nuclear reactors in the aftermath of Fukushima leads to rising carbon emissions. In reality, however, Germany reduced its emissions in 2011, because of more renewable energy - and a warm winter. Arne Jungjohann more»

 

 

Green Deal Nigeria

- May 18, 2012 - The Green Deal Nigeria study commissioned by the Heinrich Böll Foundation focuses on the potential for a greener Nigeria and is being launched as the country prepares for the 20th anniversary of the Earth Summit. The study provides an overview and practical examples of how to green Nigeria before 2020 and explains the long-term measures that Nigeria needs to take today to make the economy grow beyond oil. more»

 

 

German Energy Transition #1

- May 11, 2012 - Is it hysteria or emotional populism that Germany has decided to phase out nuclear energy? On the contrary, a majority of Germans has been unconvinced of its merits since the early 1980s; the source of this anti-atom consensus lies in the persuasive, fact-based arguments of a powerful, grassroots social movement. Paul Hockenos more»

 

 

Going Green: Chemicals Fields of Action for a Resourceefficient Chemical Industry

- May 4, 2012 - The chemical industry in Germany plays a key role in the economy as a whole and the country's international competitiveness. It provides more than 290,000 well paying jobs. The capacity of the chemical industry for innovation is crucial for finding solutions to some of the major challenges of our time such as climate change and the resource crisis: chemicals can help to insulate buildings, generate solar power, build cleaner cars and increase material efficiency. Uwe Lahl and Barbara Zeschmar-Lahl more»

 

 

Preventing Wall-E

- April 30, 2012 - Since 2002, the world community has been struggling to formulate a framework for sustainable consumption and production.  In this paper, "Preventing Wall-E", Victoria Floor describes the struggle, the high stakes and the importance of a Rio +20 agreement. Victoria Floor more»

 

 

Transatlantic Tar Sand Storms: Lobbying and Dirty Oil are Canada’s New Exports

- March 30, 2012 - In its tar sands, Canada has the biggest oil reserves worldwide after Saudi Arabia. While delaying climate action at home, the Canadian government is undermining international efforts in fighting climate change.  Low carbon fuel standards in the EU and California or the denial to build the Keystone XL pipeline through the US would be a major setback for Canada’s export of oil from tar sands. Eva Zschirnt and Arne Jungjohann more»

 

 

The Green Economy – The New Magic Bullet?

- March 15, 2012 - In this essay, the president of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Barbara Unmuessig, critically reflects on the opportunities for and the shortcomings of the concept of a "Green Economy" to influence economic policy making globally, its relationship to the paradigm of sustainable development and the need to rethink our understanding and focus on growth. Barbara Unmüßig more»

 

 

The Final Battle

- March 5, 2012 - Germany has seen record investments in solar energy. Thus, coal and nuclear utilities are calling for an end to solar incentives. They might be able to delay the boom of solar power. But it is too late to stop it altogether, argues Volker Quaschning in this article. Volker Quaschning more»

 

 

Baltic Sea: Developing a Regional Cooperation for Renewables in the Electricity Sector

- January 3, 2012 - In this paper, Mats Abrahamsson takes a closer look at a region that could be a pioneer for regional cooperation in the EU: the Baltic Sea Region. As the first region with an EU regional cooperation initiative and with a long-lasting tradition of cooperation, this region could play an essential role in showing the EU the way forward by sharing their large potential of diverse renewable energy sources. Mats Abrahamsson more»

 

 

The Climate is Changing, so Should our Economy. A Perspective from Israel

- December 9, 2011 - The story of climate change is not merely the story of changing components in the atmosphere, nor is it the story of drowning polar bears and melting icebergs. Climate change is also a mirror of the erroneous household management by humanity. Maya M. Givon more»

 

 

Moving Beyond Nuclear and Coal?

- December 1, 2011 - This panel discussion in Durban brought together Japanese and European perspectives on how the international community is moving away from nuclear and coal-based energy in response to incidents such as Fukushima. more»

 

 

German Greens Want to Strengthen Transatlantic Cooperation on Climate Change

- November 27, 2011 - The German Green Party suggests turning climate change cooperation into a strategic priority in the transatlantic relationships. This is the core demand of the motion 17/7356 passed by the Greens in the parliament, the Deutscher Bundestag. Though Congress is so far not acting on climate change, there are other pillars in the US society to connect to and foster collaboration and mutual learning across the Atlantic. One of the vehicles for this is the Transatlantic Climate Bridge of the German government that should be strengthened, according to the resolution of the Greens. more»

 

 

How Germany Became Europe’s Green Leader

- October 24, 2011 - This article examines how German environmental policymaking over the last 40 years transformed Europe’s economic engine into the international driver of green growth. Ralph Buehler, Arne Jungjohann, Melissa Keeley, Michael Mehling more»

 

 

Vermont Renewable Energy Tour

- October 23, 2011 - If Germany can phase out nuclear power, Vermont can do it – and sooner. This is the takeaway for Jochen Flasbarth, President of Germany’s Federal Environment Agency, after visiting Vermont. more»

 

 

Leading the Way or Lights Out? Germany’s Nuclear Exit and U.S. Energy Perspectives

- October 21, 2011 - One reason why Germany seems more successful than the US in transitioning toward a low-carbon economy is a stronger political consensus on the right way forward. This is the takeaway of Franz Untersteller, Minister for the Environment, Climate, and Energy of the German state of Baden-Württemberg, after a visit to Washington DC. more»

 

 

European Union Green Jobs Tour 2011

- October 14, 2011 - In cooperation with the BlueGreen Alliance, the Heinrich Böll Foundation’s Climate Network brought eight representatives of labor unions and environmental organizations on a green-jobs focused tour to Europe from September 26 to October 5, 2011. more»

 

 

Why the Green New Deal is a Response to the European Debt Crisis

- October 13, 2011 - The global economic crisis has not been overcome; its character has merely changed. Similar to the crisis in the banking sector, the European government debt crisis is typical of a large-scale financial crisis, the “Second Great Depression,” and managing it has to be addressed in this context. Gerhard Schick more»

 

 

Gaining Strength – Clean Energy Solutions for a Resilient Economy

- September 22, 2011 - On September 20th, policy makers from Germany and the United States came together to discuss common ways for making renewable energies the driving force of industrial revolution of the 21st century. The conference took place as part of the Climate Network of the Heinrich Boell Foundation and marked the release of the publication Sharing Solutions: Transatlantic Cooperation for a Low-Carbon Economy. more»

 

 

Sharing Solutions: Transatlantic Cooperation for a Low-Carbon Economy

- September 19, 2011 - In this latest report of the Climate Network, policy-makers, civil society actors and local stakeholders in both the US and Europe address how to enhance renewable energy policies in rural and industrial regions despite current economic and political barriers. more»

 

 

Mental Infrastructures: How Growth Entered the World and Our Souls

- September 8, 2011 - In light of the recent ecological, financial and economic crisis, criticizing the all-powerful paradigm of economic growth is necessary. But growth as will and representation not only pervades corporate headquarters, stock exchanges and ministries, but also our heads. The essay of Harald Welzer makes the mechanisms and principles distinct on which our ideals and wishes are based, and clears the way for change. Harald Welzer more»

 

 

Harvesting Renewable Energy in the Midwest

- July 28, 2011 - This report is in the final product of the Midwest Renewable Energy Tour. It shares the German success of using policy to develop rural renewable energy projects and how farms in the US states of South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin can increase their renewable energy capacity. Neil Vielleux more»

 

 

Harvesting Clean Energy on Ontario Farms

- June 27, 2011 -

This report highlights the untapped business opportunities for farmers that can be found in renewable energy.

Kristi Anderson, Arne Jungjohann, Tim Weis more»

 

 

Myth of Nuclear Power - A Guide

- August 27, 2010 - The recent explosions at several reactors in Japan have again highlighted the hazards of nuclear power in a dramatic way. The description of nuclear power as reliable and secure energy source has turned into a myth. Renowned international nuclear experts provide an overview of current, facts rich, and nuclear-critical know-how. more»

 

 

Beyond Biofuels: Renewable Energy Opportunities for U.S. Farmers

- August 27, 2010 - The Heinrich Böll Stiftung North America published a new report Beyond Biofuels: Renewable Energy Opportunities for U.S. Farmers. In a transatlantic comparison, the report suggests a variety of measures such as a "Biogas Roadmap" and others to encourage American farmers to become "energy farmers" in the 21st century. more»

 

 

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