Our most important findings

Acceptability

  1. 1

    The recommendations and decisions derived from multi-stakeholder engagement can make an important contribution to driving the clean-energy transition.

    To efficiently reach its goal, a properly tailored “Coal Commission” must ensure a well-balanced mix of relevant stakeholder interests, formulate a clear mandate, solicit stakeholder opinion, and set a realistic, but flexible timeline.

  2. 2

    Political economic circumstances and timing are crucial when establishing a multi-stakeholder commission.

    The political environment and public opinion can either accelerate or impair the consensus-building process. Analysis of the country’s readiness for such a commission and an inclusive policy process is key.

  3. 3

    A trusting and transparent environment must be fostered in which stakeholders can engage in an inclusive and cooperative dialogue.

    Careful preparation is important for a smooth and efficient process. The flow of information should be transparent and open. Power imbalances and the potential lack of expertise of some stakeholders must be addressed. The set-up must avoid giving any participants the sense they have been excluded or “left out”.

  4. 4

    Multi-stakeholder commissions devoted to climate action cannot replace political leadership and ambitious emission reduction policies.

    Accordingly, such commissions should not be misused as a forum for “delegating away” poli-tical responsibility or delaying climate action. In addition, members of parliament should be actively involved in order to augment the legitimacy of the proceedings and increase the likelihood that the commission’s recommendations will be implemented.

From study : Coal Phase-Out in Germany
  1. 1

    Die Energiekrise verursacht 2023 für Verbraucher:innen Mehrkosten für Strom und Erdgas von mehr als 100 Milliarden Euro gegenüber dem Vorkrisenniveau.

    Haushalte, die mit Erdgas schlecht gedämmte Gebäude heizen, sind außerordentlich belastet – auch bei mittlerem Einkommen. Die Wirtschaft steht ebenfalls zum Teil vor erheblichen Herausforderungen. Eine gezielte und ausreichende staatliche Unterstützung ist daher dringend erforderlich.

  2. 2

    Es bedarf einer Zufallsgewinnsteuer, um die Finanzierung der notwendigen Entlastungen zu unterstützen.

    Die Steuer sollte so ausgestaltet sein, dass sie mit einem moderaten Steuersatz alle fossilen Energieträger abdeckt und zugleich Anreize für neue Investitionen in Energieunabhängigkeit und Klimaschutz erhält. Damit birgt sie geringere Risiken für Umgehungsstrategien und für zukünftige Investitionen als eine Abschöpfung von Zufallsgewinnen über den Strommarkt.

  3. 3

    Die Grundsätze der Preisbildung am Strommarkt funktionieren und müssen erhalten bleiben.

    Eine Preissetzung durch das jeweils teuerste Kraftwerk zeigt die Kosten von zusätzlichem Stromverbrauch bzw. den Wert von Einsparungen korrekt an. Dieses Prinzip ist für die Integration von Erneuerbaren Energien zentral, denn nur so können etwa Wärmepumpen oder Elektroautos effizient und dynamisch auf den Strompreis reagieren.

  4. 4

    Investitionen in Erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffizienz gehören ins Zentrum der kurz- und mittelfristigen Krisenpolitik.

    Zusätzliches Angebot an Wind- und Solarenergie und effizientere Nachfrage sind Voraussetzungen für eine Normalisierung der Energiepreise und für eine ambitionierte Klimapolitik.

From study : Schutz in der fossilen Energiekrise
  1. 1

    From 2019, a “Lusatia Structural Change Fund” should be established within Germany’s federal budget.

    The aim of the fund would be to strengthen the region’s economic attractiveness and its desirability as a place to live. It should help to: preserve the region’s industrial character, strengthen innovation among its businesses, support its academic institutions, equip it with an up-to-date transport network and digital infrastructure, and foster a lively civil society that retains local residents while also attracting new ones.

  2. 2

    The Lusatia Fund should be endowed with 100 million euros per year for 15 years, to be divided equally between four key pillars: business development, academia, infrastructure, and civil society.

    In each of these areas, it should be possible to use the available funds in a flexible manner (i.e. to shift funding between areas), and funds that are not withdrawn should not expire (i.e. funding should be transferable to subsequent years).

  3. 3

    Regional stakeholders from the spheres of business, academia, politics, and civil society should play a key role in awarding of funds.

    The federal government should only play a monitoring and coordinating role, as part of a steering committee; decisions on funding priorities should be made by stakeholders from the region.

  4. 4

    The funds assigned to the civil society pillar should be administered by a new “Lusatia Future Foundation.”

    Raising the attractiveness of a region means more than just promoting its economy, academic institutions and infrastructure. Ultimately, the vibrancy of a place depends on art, culture, lived traditions and the quality of civil society. These factors require ongoing support, which can be guaranteed in the short term through the Structural Change Fund and in the long term through developing a foundation with a strong endowment.

From study : A Future for Lusatia

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