There has been a great deal of activity in German energy and climate policy, which has successfully raised public awareness of key issues. CO2 emissions from the production of goods and services have subsequently fallen considerably, meaning that the Kyoto target will probably be achieved. However, the decrease in the production of greenhouse gases has been accompanied by an increase in imports of CO2-intensive goods, meaning that the emissions produced by German consumption are not following this positive trend. This is the result of one-sided efforts to reduce emissions by a few countries and should prompt a reassessment of climate policy instruments.
A set of concrete measures have been adopted by German policy with a view to achieving the target of reducing CO2 emissions by at least 80% by 2050. These measures establish concrete expansion strategies for renewable energy targets to increase energy efficiency, but rule out the use of any other technology options from now on. In view of the complexity and the sheer scope of the change in energy policy, such measures make little sense and prove very costly. They tend to create the impression that political posturing has replaced the well thought-out energy policy concept that is urgently needed. The three main problems of German climate and energy policy can be described as follows:
Hans-Werner Sinn: The Green Paradox. A Supply-Side Approach to Global Warming The MIT Press, Feb. 2012
Hans-Werner Sinn: Das grüne Paradoxon. Plädoyer für eine illusionsfreie Klimapolitik Econ Verlag: Berlin 2008 More Information
Notes on the Climate ("Kurz zum Klima" in ifo Schnelldienst)
The Green Paradox - Theses on Climate Change Organizer: Bavarian Radio, BRalpha, Ifo Institute for Economic Research, Munich, University of Munich Venue: Ifo Institute for Economic Research, Poschingerstrasse 5, 81679 Munich, Ludwig Erhard Room Information
Sinn, Hans-Werner, "Die Clarke-Steuer zur Lösung des Umweltproblems: Eine Erläuterung am Beispiel der Wasserwirtschaft“ (The Clarke Tax as a Solution to the Environmental Problem: An Explanation Based on the Example of Water Supply), in: H. Siebert, ed., Umweltschutz für Luft und Wasser, Springer: Berlin, Heidelberg und New York 1988, pp. 241-254.
Tables, charts and reports provided by Ifo's Database for Institutional Comparisons in Europe DICE Additionally to the listed tables you will find – in DICE Special: Climate Change Policies – further tables and graphs concerning climate change policies as well as the state of the environment.
Overview of Thermal Insulation Regulations to Reduce the Heating (Table | 01.06.2008 | Details | Download)
Policies and Measures Addressing Climate Change: Framework Policy, 2007 (Archived Table | 01.10.2007 | Details | Download)
Policies and Measures Addressing Climate Change: Industry, Transport, Energy Production, 2007 (Archived Table | 01.10.2007 | Details | Download)
Recently Issued Regulatory Instruments on Energy Efficiency, 2007 (Archived Table | 01.10.2007 | Details | Download)
Transmission and Distribution Network Fees, 2006 (Table | 01.06.2008 | Details | Download)
Ifo publications and media coverage
A complete list of Ifo Policy Issues
This discussion forum is open to comments on Hans-Werner Sinn’s publications and press statements.
Introduction and current discussion topics
Forum Environmental and Climate Policy
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