Asia Competitiveness Institute, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Post

The European Green Deal Part II (consequences for Germany) B. Implementing the European Green Deal in Germany The German Climate Protection Act, which was passed for the first time in the same year as the Green Deal, set binding targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and distributed them across various sectors such as transportation and energy. The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), which implemented the RED II Directive, was a key component in fulfilling the targets of the European Green Deal. The legislation set clear targets for the share of renewable energies in electricity consumption and offered financial incentives and simplified authorisation procedures for wind and solar energy projects. Furthermore, Germany introduced the Coal Phase-out Act, which stipulates that Germany will gradually phase out coal-fired power generation by 2038. Furthermore, the German government implemented a series of climate-related legislative measures following the formation of the now government from 2021. Their climate package comprises a multitude of measures with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These include the implementation of a carbon price in the transport and construction sectors, subsidies for energy-efficient buildings and the promotion of electromobility as well as measures to enhance energy efficiency. The expansion of the charging infrastructure and purchase premiums for electric vehicles, programmes to promote sustainable agriculture and protect biodiversity, as well as initiatives to reduce waste and promote recycling, are just some of the issues being tackled in Germany. The so-called ‘Heating Act’ was also the subject of debate in Germany in 2023. The heated debate surrounding this issue has yet to be resolved, and it remains unclear whether the proposed legislation will be implemented. C. Conclusion and predicitions for the future: Germany is making considerable efforts to achieve its ambitious climate targets. Nevertheless, in order to assume a leading role within the EU, it is necessary to continue to make consistent and intensified efforts. It is currently not possible to make a definitive forecast in favour of our planet. The coming years will be pivotal in determining whether Germany is able to stay on track regarding climate targets and assume a pioneering role in global climate protection. While the steps thus far indicate a significant level of commitment, the remaining challenges continue to necessitate a determined and concerted response. This is the only viable approach to guarantee the successful implementation of the European Green Deal in this country and to ensure the long-term sustainability of its positive effects.   Huge thanks to my colleague Dominick Kantor for his valuable support.   If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me (MSpoerl@Stenger.legal). #aliantlaw

It was a big week for net-zero in the news. Following the Climate Change Committee’s damming Scottish progress report, it was disappointing to see the Scottish Government’s decision to drop its 2030 climate target. New legislation will also see the replacement of annual and interim targets with five-yearly Carbon Budgets as utilised by the UK Government. Whilst reassuring the Scottish Government remains committed to achieving net-zero by 2045, these events demonstrate the urgent need to learn lessons from the CCC’s consistently clear recommendations. With the electrification of heat and transport set to increase electricity demand by up to 60% over the next decade, we must enable the deployment of our home-grown renewable energy pipeline (and supporting infrastructure) to meet that demand — bringing unrivalled investment into Scotland’s economy and workforce. The news that SSE Renewables’ 4.1GW Berwick Bank Offshore Windfarm has missed the opportunity to bid into this year’s Contracts for Difference Allocation Round due to consenting delays is a reminder of how crucial timely and coordinated consents will be for enabling our pipeline. Aside from these headlines, there was plenty of positive activity over the past week too: ✅ Flotation Energy & Vårgrønn’s Green Volt secured consent from the Scottish Government — green lighting the development of Europe’s first commercial-scale floating offshore windfarm which is set to bring a £3 billion investment for Scotland. 🏗️ The last monopile was installed at OW Ocean Winds’ Moray West Offshore Windfarm — a major milestone for the project which will power over 1.3 million homes. ⚓️ Harland & Wolff submitted an application under the Startegic Investment Model to enable the development of the Stornoway Offshore Wind Hub — a £99 investment in crucial port facilities for assembly and storage of offshore wind assets. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 The Scottish Government signed a MOU with HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to explore opportunities for offshore wind manufacturing. 📒 The Industrial Growth Plan was unveiled by RenewableUK, Crown Estate Scotland, Crown Estate & Offshore Wind Growth Partnership — a landmark collaboration detailing the strategic investments required to build a world-class offshore wind supply chain in the UK. 🌎 On #EarthDay, let’s not loose sight of why this all matters. Last year was the warmest year on record and carbon emissions from fossil fuels are at their highest level ever. Not only is the imperative clear for our planet, but our prosperity too. An ambitious transition to net-zero could mean a UK economy £250 billion larger in 2050. The stage is set for the Scottish Government to unveil its long-awaited Energy Startegy and Just Transition Plan, supported by a Green Industrial Startegy in due course. Time for strong policies to enable delivery.

🚨New Blog Alert! 💡auctusESG’s latest blog, contributed by Megha T Bhasi, discusses the urgent need for fossil fuel-dependent economies to transition to sustainable energy sources in order to meet global climate targets. It outlines key strategies such as diversifying energy portfolios, leveraging climate finance, implementing carbon pricing, and fostering innovation in renewable technologies. These actions are critical to balancing economic stability with decarbonisation efforts, ensuring that economies remain competitive while reducing their carbon footprints. The transition is vital for aligning with the Paris Agreement and achieving long-term sustainability goals. 🔎 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dbCxKqZA 🛎 Follow auctusESG for more such insightful thought leadership on sustainable finance and climate action! #SustainableFinance #ClimateAction #EnergyTransition

Check out George Lee's piece on the latest @EPA report highlighting Ireland's significant shortfall in meeting its emission targets for 2030. This should serve as a wake-up call for all sectors - business, government, agriculture, and transport. It's time for collective responsibility and action on internal sustainability goals to make a direct impact on Ireland's emission targets. Despite current guidelines, the @EPA predicts only a 29% emissions reduction, falling short of the necessary 51%. As part of the solution, Minister Eamon Ryan emphasizes the importance of a solar power plan to boost renewables. Generation Ireland and Generation globally is leading the way in training green skills like Sustainability and Retrofit Officers, Solar Panel Installers, and Heat Pump installers. To meet climate obligations, we must bring new skilled talent, who are not coming from the already overburdened construction sector into the sector to implement and install new sustainable technologies. Green sector employers looking to hire entry-level talent can reach out to myself and the team in Generation Ireland to explore opportunities. Let's work together towards a more sustainable future. #ClimateAction #Sustainability #GreenSkills

🌟 Exciting News in Environmental Policy! 🌟 On Thursday last week, the Biden administration unveiled plans to overhaul the power sector, aiming for greener, cleaner energy. In a recent Reuters article, it is revealed that these plans are set to slash greenhouse gas emissions from power plants by 80% below 2005 levels by 2030. Their strategy? Implement stricter regulations and promote cleaner energy sources. The proposal aims to accelerate the transition towards renewable energy, potentially adding 70 GW of solar and wind energy by 2030. This initiative not only improves air quality but also boosts innovation and job creation in the clean energy sector. The plan is projected to prevent up to 3,600 premature deaths! This action reinforces the United States' commitment to global climate leadership. Let's support these initiatives for a more environmentally sustainable future!🌍

There are some choices people just shouldn’t have to make. And if we ask people to choose between earning a living and decarbonizing the economy, we all lose. In a truly just transition to clean energy no one has to make that choice. A just energy transition is much more than switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy. It’s about making sure no one gets left behind in the process. Workers in the fossil fuel industry and the communities they support must have their voices heard.  There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to a just transition. But now there’s a basic recipe that can be tweaked to best serve different communities, industries and stakeholders. Authored by EDF’s Mandy Rambharos, the Just Transition and Safeguards Framework outlines what inclusivity looks like in an energy transition strategy, and how it can be measured. Read more (and find the link to the full framework) here: https://lnkd.in/eBRfzss7 

Annual Climate Change Statement of Progress by Minister Chris Bowen - - 1) Legislated net zero targets for first time in Australia's history. - 2) Record investment towards 82% renewable energy target by 2030 - 30% GHG reduction in electricity sector whilst electricity prices have fallen 35% in the last 12 months. - 3) Capacity Investment Scheme leading to record storage investments in both grid scale and community scale batteries. - 4) Safeguard Mechanism legislated, combined with Future Made in Australia $22 billion package (Australia's IR ACT) legislated plus new National Hydrogen Strategy/Critical Minerals Strategy/Battery Strategies = historic shift to use net zero industry policy to position Australia to attract record investment in net zero industries, jobs & exports of the future. - 5) Fuel Efficiency Standards legislated leading to record no. of models of EVs & EV sales supported by more investment in EV charging stations. Plus, EV V2G standards have been adopted in 2024. New V2G EV models & V2G bi-directional charging stations are arriving in 2025 so households can use their cars as household batteries. - 6) 4 million households now have solar slashing energy bills -and many more will with the Government's $1 billion Household Energy Upgrade program. - 7) $500 million more for electrifying social housing across Australia. - 8) Legislation of the new Net Zero Economic Authority to help co-ordinate the net zero transition and ensure it is an inclusive just transition for all Australians. Investments to empower farmers to play their part. 9) This year, the Government announced $63.8 million over 10 years to support initial emissions reduction efforts in the agriculture and land sectors. This includes $30.8 million to expand the Carbon Farming Outreach Program. 10) Also in 2024, grant applications opened under the $302.1 million Climate Smart Agriculture Program, supporting farmers to manage emissions, build resilience to climate change, improve soil health and protect natural capital. Also last year, collaborative Fed Govt partnerships with States & Territories - like this one with ACT Govt were signed to work on electrification projects like EV V2G and electrification of complex buildings like apartments in recognition of ACT's leadership - https://lnkd.in/dU8N8EmR Finally, Australia & 132 other signatories, pledged to triple global renewable energy capacity & double the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements from around 2% to over 4% by 2030 at the UNFCCC COP 28. The Minister's speech to Parliament is here - https://lnkd.in/dBfwE6sT and the statement is downloadable below. Tis an honour to serve with the remarkable 2000+ staff of DCCEEW. Much done, much more to do.

Over the past few years, there’s been talk of efforts by governments and companies to reduce their carbon emissions. A movement to divest from fossil fuels has even begun. However, today, all over the world, we remain concerned about the consequences of the climate crisis and the slow and not necessarily just energy transition. The urgency of the climate crisis has been exploited by companies and investors to finance green energy, though too often they end up injecting money into false climate solutions and greenwashing to clean up the images of companies that continue to pollute as much or worse than before. That’s why at Empower we’ve undertaken the task of investigating and following the money of those responsible for large renewable energy projects that, far from being a solution, often end up damaging people and planet even more. Visit our site to learn more about our work: https://lnkd.in/e2ajC7HY Benjamin Cokelet, Proyecto de Derechos Económicos, Sociales y Culturales, A.C. (ProDESC), Greenpeace, European Climate Foundation, The 2030 Fund, Global Greengrants Fund, Katie Redford, Maya Winkelstein, Simon Stiell

In a series of articles, Transition Reflections, SEB’s experts share insights and reflections on significant sustainability developments and topics. Gregor Vulturius is first out.

Exciting news 😎 ! My latest research, titled "A novel multicriteria assessment framework for evaluating the performance of the EU in dealing with challenges of the low-carbon energy transition: an integrated Fermatean fuzzy approach," has just been published in Sustainable Environment Research! Link to the article 👇: https://lnkd.in/dm-2v4wW It dives into challenges like social impact, affordability, and infrastructure but also finds reasons for optimism. Germany and the Netherlands are frontrunners. Check out the full study for a detailed look! #lowcarbonenergy #EU #climateaction #sustainability #Lithuania #LTGreen #EnergyTransitionEU