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In spite of current multiple political crises, global warming will remain a prime issue on the global agenda. The adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and its quick ratification in 2016 have created a strong momentum for worldwide action against climate change. As global greenhouse gas emissions must decline towards levels close to zero by the middle of the century, the rapid decarbonisation of energy systems is high on the agenda of most countries around the globe.
This publication delivers insights into cutting edge research on the necessary transitions towards low carbon societies and by this aims to contribute to international as well as national policymaking.
The topics covered in more than 20 concise original articles are among the most important issues for progressing solutions for climate change and sustainable development. The papers discuss recent findings and case studies in the following subject areas:
Governance of the necessary long-term transitions in the context of potential known and unknown adverse developments;
Policy instruments and strategies that allow for financing the transition to low carbon economies and, at the same time, respond to today's economic and social challenges;
Integrated strategies for three of the most important arenas of global decarbonisation: Cities, as much of the change and necessary investment for low carbon societies must take place, be planned, be financed and be built in cities; industry, particularly the energy-intensive processing industries, which are at the core of society's metabolism and are responsible for a large and growing share of global emissions and science as a whole, which must become more solutions-oriented because the transitions needed will rely heavily on research providing solutions for technological as well as societal problems.
As a contribution to these great challenges and at the request of the G7 Environment Ministers, the Low Carbon Society Research Network (LCS-RNet) acts as a forum aimed at fostering research and policymaking to jointly achieve decarbonised energy systems in countries around the world. It convenes leading scientists, practitioners and policymakers and aims at supporting governments in proceeding jointly towards the design and implementation of climate-friendly low carbon societies.
Oil crisis, water conflicts, declining food security - we hear one report after another about resource scarcity - while with growing populations and huge poverty, nations are demanding their right to development. In the age of globalisation this right cannot be disputed, yet the planet is already exhibiting signs of acute environmental stress. Indians want more roads and Chinese more oil: the struggle over nature will partly shape the crises of the twenty-first century. Clashes over resources, both major and minor, are often the unseen factor behind chaos and violence and it is vital to start thinking about how the distribution of resources can be made more just. This book provides an account of what is involved in the resource conflicts of today and tomorrow. It puts forward perspectives for resource justice and outlines a global economic and environmental policy equally committed to nature and to humanity.
The German "Energiewende" (energy transition) is meant to be a contract between generations. The rebuilding of the whole energy system is designed and financed today in order to safeguard our children and grandchildren against fundamental risks: the enormous economic, social and environmental costs of a fossil-nuclear energy system, the risks of the nuclear fuel-cycle and the impacts of climate change, as well as energy import dependency, price shocks and geopolitical disputes over scarce resources. In contrast, a successful Energiewende creates new business areas and qualified jobs and increases competitiveness in the "green race" - in particular on the lead markets for efficiency technology and renewable energy. Accordingly, the Energiewende is described in this book as the collective effort of post-war German history and as a unique learning arena for a positive socio-economic transformation with international relevance. The book covers the formation of both the social and scientific Energiewende consensus, quantitative scenarios, the state of the Energiewende in 2015, the need for further policy intervention - in particular with respect to energy efficiency, and not least the integration of efficiency, sufficiency and renewable energy policies.
Sustainable Urban Mobility Pathways examines how sustainable urban mobility solutions contribute to achieving worldwide sustainable development and global climate change targets, while also identifying barriers to implementation and strategies to overcome them. Building on city-to-city cooperation experiences in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, the book examines key challenges in the context of the Paris Agreement, UN Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda, including policies needed to achieve a sustainable, low-carbon pathway for transport and how an integrated policy strategy is designed to provide a basis for political coalitions.
The book explores which institutional framework creates sufficient political stability and continuity to foster the take-up of and long-term support for sustainable transport strategies. The linkages of climate change and wider sustainable development objectives are covered, including success stories, best practices, and quantitative analysis for key emerging economies in public transport, walking, cycling, freight and logistics, vehicle technology and fuels, urban planning and integration, and national framework policies.
In this second brochure, WISIONS aims to focus on the significance of a combined approach to water and energy and to present a number of projects from around the globe that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects such as the inclusion of local population were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
The brochure focuses on the significance of the construction sector and aim to collect world-wide innovative project approaches that have already been implemented to promote the concepts. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main considerations have been the energy efficiency and in a broad sense also the resource efficiency of the projects.
The year 2015 has special importance for the transformation towards sustainable development. New Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are then supposed to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The aim is to offer a new orientation for political action in the coming decades. The WBGU recommends orienting the new catalogue of goals towards the key message of the 1992 Earth Summit: that development and environmental protection must be considered together and do not contradict each other. The SDGs should not be reduced to poverty eradication, but must address all dimensions of sustainable development. In particular, global environmental change must be incorporated, otherwise even poverty eradication will become impossible. Up to now, too little attention has been paid to this link in the ongoing discourse on SDGs. Although many reports mention the concept of planetary guard rails or planetary boundaries, they do not back this up with specific targets. The WBGU presents recommendations on how guard rails for global environmental problems should be incorporated in the SDG catalogue and operationalized by means of corresponding targets.
PICOLight : appendix 6
(2005)
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on renewable energy in the food supply chain. WISIONS presents projects from Nigeria, Pakistan, Nicaragua, Cambodia and Kenya that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials
Economy of sufficiency : essays on wealth in diversity, enjoyable limits and creating commons
(2013)
Another summit of change, known as Rio+20, has passed in summer 2012, nourishing the rumours of a green economy. Building up a green economy seems to be the all over recipe for different crises of capitalism, among them climate change and resource scarcity. Yet efficiency and consistency, as their main strategies, do not suffice to reach sustainable levels, as they cause rebound effects and keep stimulating economy growth. Obviously, there are limits to green growth, too. Can we conceive an economy, and respective economic institutions, that serve human needs and wealth without a built-in necessity to grow? What kind of political, mental, and individual changes does a sufficiency economy require? And what are perspectives and policies to actually start implementing it?
Just before Rio +20 the symposium "Economy of Sufficiency", devoted to Wolfgang Sachs on the occasion of his 65th birthday in 2011, examined these questions in three dimensions. Accordingly this selection of contributions to the symposium follows the chapters "Wealth in diversity" (Ashok Khosla, Marianne Gronemeyer, Vandana Shiva), "Enjoyable limits" (Richard B. Norgaard, Tim Jackson) and "Creating commons" (Ezio Manzini, Silke Helfrich).
The essays indicate the historical development of the ideas on a sufficiency economy. Wandering through discourses of sustainable development for several decades, the authors map the range of perspectives, practices as well as barriers and bridge them between cultures, agencies and schools.
This study is an exploratory analysis to provide a prioritisation and indication of extensiveness of review activities related to measures that currently exist for eight product groups: Domestic Washing Machines, Domestic Dishwashers, Domestic Washer-Driers, Domestic Cold Appliances, Lighting products (non-directional, tertiary and "special purpose"), Set-top Boxes. For water pumps only a review of tolerances was required.
The analysis focused on possible energy savings as basis for prioritisation, but - following the request of the European Commission made during the kick-off meeting - also considers resource efficiency aspects insofar feasible within the constraints of the study. The conclusion of this exploratory study is that for all product groups considered (except pumps) a revision of existing regulations (or introduction of new regulations) is the preferred policy option.
The analysis shows that these product groups are expected to (continue to) meet eligibility criteria for the introduction of ecodesign and/or energy labelling measures, with simple set top boxes as sole exemption as its market and environmental significance is in rapid decline (sales are expected to be marginal by 2020).
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the applications of solar assisted cooling systems. After taking a more detailed look at the characteristics of such appliances, WISIONS presents projects in Spain, the USA, Germany and China that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy efficiency and successful performance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
PRIME - Private Investments Move Ecopower : action package ; best practice, recommendations, tools
(2007)
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the interdependent connection between water and energy. WISIONS presents good practice projects dealing with water and energy in Guatemala, Peru, Tunisia, the Philippines and Tanzania that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on how sustainable energy use can support poverty reduction. WISIONS presents projects from Namibia, Brazil, the Philippines and India that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency with social aspects being of high additional relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the significance of innovative strategies in the field of sustainable transport. WISIONS presents a number of projects from around the globe that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects such as the inclusion of local population were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
Microfinance and renewable energy : investing in a sustainable future ; WISIONS of sustainability
(2006)
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the micro financing of renewable energy systems. WISIONS presents projects from Peru, South Africa, China and Nepal that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the microfinance projects was the inclusion of renewable energy technologies like solar/photovoltaic systems, wind energy and hydropower biogas used for cooking, lighting, power telecommunications equipment, radio, television, household electrification, health clinics, water pumping, milling and grinding, water disinfection, fencing, computer education, machinery operation, etc. in households or businesses.
Sustainable biofuel production and use : options for greener fuels ; WISIONS of sustainability
(2006)
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on sustainable biofuel production and use. WISIONS presents successfully implemented projects from Ghana, India, Austria and Indonesia, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
Corporate energy and material efficiency ... makes good business sense : WISIONS of sustainability
(2006)
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on corporate strategies for improving energy and material efficiency. WISIONS presents projects from Slovakia, Germany, the UK and Peru that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the significance of innovative strategies for saving energy in schools, including two types of projects: energy education projects and those that focus on sustainable energy technologies. WISIONS presents projects from India, France, Germany and Uganda that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects such as the inclusion of pupils, teachers and parents were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
In this classic collection, some of the world's most eminent critics of development review the key concepts of the development discourse. Each essay examines one concept from a historical and anthropological point of view, highlights its particular bias, and exposes its historical obsolescence and intellectual sterility. The authors argue that a bidding farewell to the whole Euro-centric development idea is urgently needed, in order to liberate people’s minds - in both North and South - for bold responses to the environmental and ethical challenges now confronting humanity. The combined result forms a must-read invitation to experts, grassroots movements and students of development to recognize the tainted glasses they put on whenever they participate in the development discourse.
Does money blur perspectives for a better life? Lifting the money veil from our yardsticks of progress, income and wealth, reveals the trade-offs of economic growth. The book presents new indicators of the social, economic and ecological impacts of our lifestyles and production techniques. The indicators help to identify those responsible for these impacts and account for their accountability in terms of environmental and other ("social") costs. Sustainable development is to bring about long-term prosperity without undermining its natural foundation. For the assessment of the opaque concept we need both, physical impact measures and environmentally modified ("green") indicators of income, capital and output. Peter Bartelmus opens the dialogue between frequently hostile camps of economists and environmentalists, data producers and users, and scientists and policy makers. Together, they may steer us towards a sustainable future. Practitioners in business, government and civil society will find valuable tools for making their work more sustainable.
Energy efficiency services : good practice business models and successful market developments
(2012)
Analytical Strategic Environmental Assessment (ANSEA) is an insightful new approach to environmental evaluation, based on decision theory, policy analysis and environmental considerations. These concepts, though not new in their own fields of application, are combined and integrated in an innovative fashion. This book presents recent research on the implementation of the ANSEA approach which aims to ensure environmental values are properly integrated into the decision-making process.
In 2005 two very important milestones of international climate policy were reached: The entry into force of the Kyoto Protocol and the installation of a European wide emissions trading system. In Germany, the publication of the fifth report of the inter-ministerial working group on climate policy was published with an evaluation of climate protection policies. In 2004 the Japanese climate protection policy was fully revised so that Japan will also bring forth important developments in this area. The traditional close cooperation in this area between Japan and Germany, must now result in more concrete projects to keep this dynamic going well into the future. There is much potential to achieve a lot.
Within the unique framework of the Germany in Japan Year 2005-2006, the German Ministry for the Environment, the Ministry for Innovation of Northrhine-Westfalia, together with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (Japan) and the Wuppertal Institute (Germany) put together a two day event in Tokyo comprising an experts workshop and a one day conference.
At the conference, experts and practitioners of the German government, the states, the private sector and environmental organisations from Germany and Europe presented the decisive factors for success as well as the difficulties encountered namely in introducing an eco-tax and the Emissions Trading Scheme. Japanese experts and practitioners reported on Japanese approaches and reviewed the German/European experiences in light of the Japanese situation. At the expert workshop, researchers and decision makers discussed the experiences with policy dialogues and stakeholder involvement. They assessed the transferability of German/European experiences into the Japanese context and the broader inclusion of civil society into the governmental decision making process, that is so say, the opportunities in co-operating with politics, private sector and environmental organisations. This report documents the events and highlights the most outstanding conclusions and ideas for further cooperation in the future.
On the one hand, biofuels may provide environmental and social benefits, for instance, when local communities in developing countries are supplied with power and process energy from oil producing plants, in particular when they are grown on land which is not suited for food production. On the other hand, the ongoing expansion of large scale energy farming for transport biofuels can lead to various environmental and social problems. Corn production for ethanol (additive to petrol) for instance resulted in nutrient pollution of the Mississippi basin and the Gulf of Mexico. The growing demand of transport biofuels in Europe can only be met by increasing imports. This contributes to the conversion of grasslands, savannahs and forests in the tropics, losses of biodiversity and additional green house gas emissions. Even if the use of biomass for other purposes, for instance, the combined production of electricity and heat usually provides a better greenhouse gas balance than transport biofuels, energy cropping remains problematic for various reasons. Whereas, when biomass is used for material purposes first, and the energy is recovered from the subsequent waste, a multiple dividend can be gained. The authors address a number of measures for improvement. They also recommend that in view of the complex circumstances of biofuel production and application, current policy mandates and targets for biofuels should be reconsidered. Biomass policies need to be integrated into a broader perspective of sustainable resource management.
Sustainable management of natural resources is a crucial element for a sustainable development, but also a precondition for economic growth. The book analyses raw materials supply and resource use in a global context. The contributions present state-of-the art results and perspectives on the availability of resources. They discuss factors such as demand from emerging and other countries as well as critical shortage of some materials together with the resulting consequences for economies. It also gives new views and perspectives on the sustainable growth in ermerging economies and examines the possibilities and experiences concerning the decoupling of resource use from economic growth. Moreover, it offers cross-country comparisons with emphasis on emerging countries. A key focus is placed on China regarding its domestic energy, climate and resource policy but also its developing foreign policy in Africa.
Sustainable Resource Management is the result of longlasting exhaustive research by the Wuppertal Institute. Looking at material flows, industrial and societal metabolism and their implications for the economy, this new book provides radical perspectives on how the global economy should use natural resources in intelligent ways that maximise well-being without destroying lifesupporting ecosystems. It presents a vision of the future and the fundamental elements necessary for the sustainable management of the Earth's resources. It argues that the need to manage the use of our natural resources at a sustainable level can be shaped into a great opportunity for innovation and for new institutions to govern change.
This book presents important new research on applied eco-efficiency concepts throughout Europe. The aim of eco-efficiency is to achieve market-based measures of environmental protection, in order to enhance the prospects for sustainable development and achieve positive economic and ecological benefits. The distinguished authors discuss a number of themes surrounding eco-efficiency including the necessary conditions for technological dissemination and ecological modernization, and the role of government in enabling businesses and society to participate actively in this process. In particular, they highlight the application of existing European-based policies concerning material flows and energy. The authors also investigate some new concepts of sustainable development and provide a useful introduction to material flows analysis. In further chapters they study the emerging regulatory policies for eco-efficiency, and examine the issues of sustainable business and consumption strategies.
Emscher 3.0 : from grey to blue - or, how the blue sky over the Ruhr region fell into the Emscher
(2013)
The river Emscher is - similar to the river Ruhr - the symbol of one of the internationally most renowned industrial regions: the Ruhr area with its 5 million inhabitants and an important location of key industries such as steel, chemical and materials industry. The revitalisation of the Emscher over the last 20 years marks a new phase in the region's history and is an impressive example of ecological and socio-economic transformation affecting all aspects of life along the river. What can we learn from the Emscher conversion for upcoming tasks in other infrastructure fields?
In this brochure, WISIONS focuses on the significance of innovative strategies in the field of sustainable tourism. WISIONS presents projects from Tanzania, Germany, Ecuador, Switzerland and Ghana that have been successfully implemented, with the intention of further promoting the particular approaches used by these projects. Using a key number of internationally accepted criteria, the main consideration for the selection of the projects was energy and resource efficiency, but social aspects such as the inclusion of local population were also of relevance. The assessment of the projects also included the consideration of regional factors acknowledging different needs and potentials.
Human societies face a threatening future of resource scarcity and environmental damages. This book addresses the challenge of turning these risks into opportunities and policies. It is a collection of high level contributions from experts of sustainable growth and sustainable resource management. Focussing on economics, sustainability, technology and policy, the book highlights system innovation, leapfrogging strategies of emerging economies, possible rebound effects and international market development. It puts natural resources centre stage and will make an important contribution to achieving the goal of a 21st century Green Economy.
The book contains the proceedings of INFER annual conference 2004, organized at the Wuppertal Institute in Germany. Within the area of environmental economics, methodological issues now seem at stake. This is because recent methods and fields of economics, like institutional economics, competition (industrial) economics, and cognitive economics, should be applied and become more established within environmental economics. The different papers address this challenge via different case studies in areas such as agriculture, biodiversity, eco-taxes, subsidies, wind energy, environmental corruption, governance, contracts, international trade, human behavior, and many others.
This book considers corporate governance of sustainability from a co-evolutionary perspective. It explores the linkages between pro-active approaches at the corporate level, market-based incentives and environmental networks involving various actors. Relevant theory on corporate governance, competition, market failures and regulatory tools is also examined. The authors go on to present an assessment methodology suitable for empirical network analysis at the meso-level, and demonstrate its application using eight case studies. Based on these research results, Raimund Bleischwitz and his team draw important conclusions regarding policy analysis, sustainability assessment and the actors involved.
Integrated systems analysis
(2007)
Power sector decarbonisation : metastudy ; WP 2.2 quantitative analysis of existing EU-wide studies
(2012)
Reaching the climate goals for the building sector requires to improve insulation and to increase air tightness of buildings in order to minimize heat loss. To achieve these goals and to prevent risks to the health of occupants and damages to the building fabric due to insufficient removal of pollutants and humidity, broad implementation of Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems is crucial.
Comparable and up to date figures on the market penetration of MVHR systems across the EU are hardly available. However, figures point to only a small share of residential buildings being currently equipped with such systems (cf. Riviere et al. 2009). For the German building stock the figure is estimated to be below 5% (Händel 2011). The paper presents insights into the reasons for the slow diffusion of HRV technologies in the German building stock. It builds on the results of a recently completed research project whose central aim was to identify actor-specific and structural barriers for the diffusion of efficient ventilation systems in apartment buildings and to examine how these barriers can be addressed.
The analysis is based on 40 semi-structured expert interviews with energy consultants, HVAC craftsmen, and housing companies, as well as guided in-depth interviews with private owners of apartment buildings or apartments that were evaluated by means of qualitative content analysis. Based on the collected data, seven barrier categories were identified, each containing a range of single barriers for the diffusion of efficient ventilation systems within the residential building stock.
Results of the analysis were quantitatively validated by means of online surveys and a household survey among 1,008 households. The paper points out interdependencies within the chain of effects leading up to the investment decision of building owners. Furthermore, based on good practice examples identified within the data collection process, it proposes different measures to address these barriers.
Energy of the future? : Sustainable mobility through fuel cells and H2 ; Shell hydrogen study
(2017)
Over the years Shell has produced a number of scenario studies on key energy issues. These have included studies on important energy consumption sectors such as passenger cars and commercial vehicles (lorries and buses) and the supply of energy and heat to private households, as well as studies on the state of and prospects for individual energy sources and fuels, including biofuels, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas.
Shell has been involved in hydrogen production as well as in research, development and application for decades, with a dedicated business unit, Shell Hydrogen. Now, in cooperation with the Wuppertal Institute in Germany, Shell has conducted a study on hydrogen as a future energy source. The study looks at the current state of hydrogen supply path- ways and hydrogen application technologies and explores the potential and prospects for hydrogen as an energy source in the global energy system of tomorrow. The study focuses on the use of hydrogen in road transport and specifically in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), but it also examines non-automotive resp. stationary applications.
