Germany’s Low Carbon Energy Strategy

kristyGlobal Citizen, Earth Systems Science

Organized by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)

Jennifer Morgan, World Climate and Resources Institute, welcomed the Federal German Ministry initiation of this event at a crucial time in the climate change negotiations. She stressed the urgency to massively scale up the development of renewables and energy efficiency, congratulating the German government on showing leadership in transforming a highly industrialized economy into a green economy.

Norbert Röttgen, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, announced a fundamental shift in energy policy towards a low-carbon, energy efficient strategy that will focus its efforts on Germany´s development of renewable energy technologies. He made reference to two awards presented to Germany during the last few days, based on Germany’s political decision to move away from fossil fuel-generated and nuclear energy sources. Röttgen challenged industrial, developed countries to act credibly in domestic matters if they require countries in the international arena to follow suit. He expressed his conviction that an energy supply based on efficiency and renewables is a: responsible way forward; necessary economic strategy; and demonstration that a major country can decouple from resource destruction. He announced Germany’s intention to, inter alia: phase out nuclear energy by 2022; increase the renewable energy share to 35% by 2020 and 80% by 2025; double the rate of efficiency; make renewable energy sources the pillars of energy supply; facilitate expansion of the current grid with modern grid technologies; and increase energy efficiency for households, working places, and the transport sector. He emphasized the transformation as a development opportunity that will: foster and channel investment; stimulate infrastructure developments; create and maintain employment opportunities; and advance scientific research.

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