Climate change's effects on terrorism / A fairer cost distribution
Adelphi
The complex risks arising from climate change, fragility and conflict could contribute to the emergence and growth of non-state armed groups, according to a report by consultancy Adelphi, commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office. The report found that while climate change did not necessarily cause violence in a direct way, it could be a “threat multiplier” that exacerbated conflict and helped create an environment in which terrorism thrived.
Download the full report in English here and read a Guardian article on the topic in English here.
For background read the CLEW dossier The Energiewende and its implications for international security.
Die Zeit
The costs of financing Germany’s transition to a low-carbon economy should be more fairly distributed, as low-income households currently spend a higher share of their income on the electricity levies and taxes that help finance the Energiewende, writes Laura Cwiertnia in German weekly Die Zeit. Salaries, unemployment benefits and social assistance payments have not increased enough to make up for rising power prices, while private households are burdened with offsetting industry exemptions on energy taxes and levies, Cwiertnia writes.
Read the article (behind paywall) in German here.
For background read the CLEW factsheet Germany ponders how to finance renewables expansion in the future and the CLEW dossier Energiewende effects on power prices, costs and industry.
Allianz Climate Solutions / NewClimate Institute / Germanwatch
If climate action and renewables growth are constrained under the new US administration, the EU must step up its efforts and join forces with China and India, according to a joint report by Allianz Climate Solutions, NewClimate Institute and Germanwatch. Germany's G20 presidency means it has a special role to play in convincing other members to draw up their own climate plans, Germanwatch’s Jan Burck said in a press release. The report itself focuses on recent policy developments in China, India and the US.
Find the report in English here and a press release in German here.
For background read the CLEW article Germany keeps pushing for G20 climate focus.
WWF Germany
Environmental NGO WWF Germany is calling on the G20 finance ministers to show a clear commitment to climate protection at the upcoming meeting in Washington, DC., after they made no mention of the issue in the communiqué that followed their last meeting. If the finance sector ignores economic changes resulting from climate protection efforts by governments around the world, a new global financial crisis will unfold, warns WWF Germany's Sustainable Finance director, Matthias Kopp.
Read the press release in German here.
For background read the CLEW article Germany keeps pushing for G20 climate focus.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung
Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche is wrong to say consumers will ultimately decide the fate of diesel cars in China, Hendrik Ankenbrand writes in an opinion piece for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. China is not a market economy and the government has decided in favour of e-mobility, he argues, adding that German carmakers’ plans “to push electric motors onto the billion-euro Chinese market,” are the minimum required to avoid heavy losses in the future.
For background read the CLEW factsheet Reluctant Daimler plans “radical” push into new mobility world.
enerquire
Germany could become the number one incubator for cleantech startups, Marius Buchmann writes on his energy business blog, enerquire. He cites three factors: Large German utilities have changed strategy over the past two years and are now investing heavily in renewables; many of these utilities have established accelerator programmes for energy startups; digitalisation reduces development time and upfront investments.
Read the blog entry in English here.
For background read the CLEW dossier The energy transition's effect on jobs and business.
Fastned
Dutch company Fastned has announced it will start expanding its network of rapid e-vehicle charging points along European highways into Germany. In a press release, the company said it would cooperate with the municipality of Limburg, hotel chain Van der Valk and property developer Lutzenberger Projektentwicklung on 14 initial locations.
Read the press release in English here.
For background read the CLEW dossier The Energiewende and German carmakers.
