Publications

In: Energy Research & Social Science, Volume 120

Embracing sufficiency to accelerate the energy transition

In a rapidly warming world, the transition to renewable energy faces challenges on many fronts. Sufficiency measures, which focus on reducing overall energy demand, hold great potential to accelerate the energy transition and create truly sustainable societies, yet remain underexplored in policy cir

Demands and starting points for an ecologically sustainable, forward-looking and transformative structural policy

Advancing regional structural policy

This policy paper addresses the question of why and how regional structural policy should be further developed in the face of far-reaching ecological challenges. In the focus of this policy paper are three principles: ecological sustainability, anticipation and transformation. This policy paper focu

Feasibility of sufficiency policy instruments. An assessment using impact chains for the German mobility sector

The transport sector is not on track to meet the Paris Agreement climate targets. Rapid decarbonization of transport requires fuel switching and energy savings through modal shift and demand reduction – which are the aims of transport-sufficiency policy. We analyze passenger transport-policy instr

Fact check and discussion

Technical approaches to removing methane from the atmosphere (methane removal)

Against the background of the discussion on Carbon Dioxide Removal, the question arises as to whether there are also technologies to remove methane (CH4) from the atmosphere (Methane Removal), which is 30 times more harmful to the climate. Methane is converted into CO2 in the atmosphere by natural o

Implementing the EU 2040 Climate Target: Building blocks and measures

The European Climate Law (ECL) requires the EU to adopt a climate target for 2040. The Eu-ropean Commission recommends an EU climate target for 2040 of 90% reduction in net GHG emissions by 2040 (compared to 1990). Achieving emission reductions on this scale is indispensable if the EU is to stay on

ENSURE-Background paper

How can regulation foster innovation in the electricity grid? Findings from case studies in Great Britain and Italy

Integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity grid is crucial for reaching the German decarbonization goals. However, increasing renewable energy integration challenges the stability and reliability of lower voltage networks managed by distribution system operators. Simply expanding netw

Interim report

Identifying and supporting vulnerable households in light of rising fossil energy costs

Rising energy prices, poor energy performance of buildings and low incomes can leave households unable to meet their energy needs, adequately heat their homes or pay their energy bills. These households are referred to as energy poor or vulnerable households. However, a standardised definition and r

Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches. Final report

Funding climate-friendly soil management

This report assesses how results-based and action-based funding approaches should be used to promote climate-friendly soil management in Europe to deliver climate mitigation and support the agriculture sector’s transition to a net-zero future. It identifies considerable potential but also signific

Working Paper 1/2025

A First Look at Biennial Transparency Reports Under the Paris Agreement

Parties to the Paris Agreement submit Biennial Transparency Reports (BTR) with information on mitigation, adaptation and support. By 31 December 2024, the deadline for submission of the first BTR, 86 Parties submitted such a report. Twelve Parties did not provide a BTR but submitted related informat

Annex to the final report “Funding climate-friendly soil management: Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches”

Analysis of ten selected crediting methodologies for climate-friendly soil management

This report is an Annex to the report „Funding climate-friendly soil management: Appropriate policy instruments and limits of market-based approaches“ which constitutes the final report of the research project “Nature-based solutions for climate protection: market-based instruments to support

What motivates and demotivates energy savings in times of crisis? – An argument mining analysis using X/Twitter data

The energy crisis following the Russian invasion of Ukraine has prompted affected countries to increase efforts to save energy. Despite substantial energy conservation observed across sectors, research has inadequately explored the reasons behind these savings. This study bridges this gap by analyzi

Reducing demand: a quantitative analysis of energy service demand indicators in sufficiency-oriented scenarios

A reduction of energy service demand in all sectors is required to reach ambitious climate and other sustainability goals. A growing number of energy and climate scenarios does include detailed assumptions and quantified parameters for the reduction of energy service demand. However, the indicators

Overview and country-level analysis of electricity generation between 2005 and 2019

Development of combustion installations under the EU ETS

The generation of electricity and heat is the largest single activity covered by the EU Emissions Trad-ing System (EU ETS). This report provides an in-depth analysis of the electricity sector since the EU ETS was introduced in 2005. It allows key drivers behind the development in capacities, generat

Overview and country level analysis from 2005 to 2019

Development of the iron and steelmaking sector under the EU ETS

This report aims to describe key developments of the iron and steelmaking sector in the period from 2005 to 2019. It identifies key drivers behind the trends in emissions, production levels, investments, and the market environment on the country and installation level by giving an overview of the EU

Status, performance, trends and implications for sustainable development

Monitoring the German Bioeconomy - Summary

The sustainable bioeconomy is climate neutral, supports circular use, keeps levels of consumption within ecological limits and promotes innovation for bio-based product use in prosperous German markets. The monitoring of these aspects is the basis for effective policy measures aimed at steering bioe

Status, performance, trends and implications for sustainable development

Monitoring the German Bioeconomy

The sustainable bioeconomy is climate neutral, supports circular use, keeps levels of consumption within ecological limits and promotes innovation for bio-based product use in prosperous German markets. The monitoring of these aspects is the basis for effective policy measures aimed at steering bioe

Working Paper 4/2024

Accounting of negative and neutral emission technologies (NETs)

By means of case studies applied in the Finnish context we assess reporting and accounting rules applicable to negative and neutral emission technologies (NETs), including BECCS, fossil CCS, CCU / BECCU with long-term carbon storage involving enforced concrete carbonation, CCU / BECCU / DACCU with s

Working Paper of Sino-German Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Energy security in Germany and China

In this working paper, created by a joint German and Chinese expert team as part of the Sino-German Track II Dialogue on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, the two countries’ different responses to the 2021-2023 energy security crises and their respective advantages and lessons are evalua

Urgent strategies to improve the lead-acid battery recycling sector

Lead-acid batteries, widely used in vehicles and energy storage systems, present significant economic and environmental challenges, especially in Ghana. The country generates approximately 36,700 tons of used lead-acid batteries (ULABs) annually. However, recycling these batteries often leads to sub

MEG equivalents and the SVHC Score: assessment of problematic substances in software and digital services

A wide range of chemicals are used in the manufacture and use of electronic devices. For most applications, alternatives for problematic substances are now available that have better properties. For the assessment of sustainability in the ICT sector, it is therefore important to know to what extent