Energy Transition

Energy prices in Europe have soared to new highs since the autumn of 2021, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine amplifying the trend. This study shows that whilst electricity prices rose, so did the profits of energy companies.

Rangelands in dry areas frequently offer perfect conditions for renewable energy projects. However, project developers often do not take the consequences for pastoralist communities into account. A transparent and participatory process is needed that includes pastoralists and respects their right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC).

In a joint declaration, nine organisations call for binding and ambitious sustainability criteria for the production and trade of green hydrogen.

Within the energy transition, international trade in green hydrogen and its derivatives will play an important role. But what opportunities and risks does this entail for exporting countries in the global South? What framework is needed to ensure that investments and trade develop from the start with sustainability in mind? The Heinrich Böll Foundation and Bread for the World are exploring these questions in a joint project.

In the battle against climate change the Global South has a lot to teach and give. Yet its voices and contributions are significantly underrepresented and consistently ignored by the dominating Global North in imperialist fashion.

The prospect of a green hydrogen economy comes with significant opportunities and risks. There is a need to both promote and carefully shape the much needed expansion of production, while limiting the end use of green hydrogen.

From 15-17 September 2021, the Budapest Forum gathered local decision-makers from Europe and beyond on how to strengthen sustainable democracies. Combatting the climate crisis including the participation of civil society will be key to sustain democratic liberties for the generations to come, said Dr. Ellen Ueberschär in her keynote on the panel 'People's power vs Climate crisis'.

The EU and Germany aim to be climate neutral by 2050 and 2045, respectively. The commitment to climate neutrality means that zero-emission alternatives will replace emissions-intensive processes and products. One energy alternative is climate-friendly hydrogen. However, hydrogen is not an all-purpose miracle that solves everything at once.

Mr Rayyan Hassan, Executive Director of the NGO Forum, urged the ADB to take the coal moratorium ahead and move towards a full transition to renewable energy finance as soon as possible. In this interview, he shares what happened next and what still needs to be done.

Carbon pricing has been dominating the public debate in recent months like hardly any other climate protection instrument. Stefanie Groll comments on the role of carbon pricing for ambitious climate protection.