Concretely defined targets are guiding policy efforts and the measures required to achieve national energy and low-carbon transformations in order to reach the maximum 2 degree climate change mitigation target agreed at the COP in Paris in 2015. Reducing energy consumption by harnessing the potential of energy efficiency, expanding the use of renewable energy resources, and transforming all sectors into low-energy and low-carbon structures is crucial. Among the G20 states, most states have set targets for renewable energies, energy efficiency, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. Yet, it seems that starting points and target units differ a lot between the G20, and hence comparability is difficult. This topical paper presents a synopsis on the current targets within the G20. The relative lack of energy efficiency targets shows that this pillar needs much greater efforts in current and future energy policy.
Dieses Inputpapier soll für japanische Entscheidungsträgerinnen und -träger aufzeigen, was die Hintergründe der in Deutschland zu beobachtenden Welle an Stadtwerke-Neugründungen und Rekommunalisierungen sind. Dabei wird auf aktuelle energiewirtschaftliche Entwicklungen und Rahmenbedingungen in Deutschland eingegangen, die ein besseres Verständnis vermitteln werden. Das Inputpapier soll vor allem japanische Kommunalpolitikerinnen und -politiker in die Lage versetzen, in ihren eigenen Gemeinden fundierte Diskussionen über eine mögliche Stadtwerkegründung zu führen und Entscheidungen vorzubereiten. Dies können sie auf Basis wichtiger Grundkenntnisse und Erfahrungen deutscher Städte und Gemeinden initiieren. Im Laufe des Gesamtprojektes wird im Herbst 2018 ein Werkzeugkasten entwickelt, der zur Unternehmens-Neugründung in Japan wichtige Hilfestellungen wird leisten können. Ergänzend dazu bleiben juristische und energiewirtschaftliche Fachberatungen unerlässlich, um einen erfolgreichen Start der neuen kommunalwirtschaftlichen Unternehmen zu gewährleisten. Dieses Inputpapier versteht sich daher als erste Handreichung und Hilfestellung für kommunale Entscheidungsträgerinnen und -träger in Japan, damit dort ein Grundverständnis des "Stadtwerkeprinzips" entstehen kann.
In spite of differences in energy policies and supply, Japan and Germany have to master similar challenges: To reorganize the energy supply system towards - in the long term - being reliable, affordable, low in risks and resource use, and climate-neutral. At the same time, the ecological modernization should maintain or even strengthen international competitiveness. To better address these challenges, a bi-national expert council has been established between the two high-tech countries in 2016 - the GJETC.
The aim of the GJETC is to show that despite different starting points, a national energy transition can be more successful, if both countries learn from their strengths and also weaknesses, to avoid the latter. If the implementation of an energy transition in the two countries is socially and economically sound and advances technology innovation and deployment, it may not only double success, but can also serve as blue prints for other countries, especially due to learning from similarities and differences. For example: Why is per capita energy consumption higher in transport in Germany, but energy intensity higher in Japan's building sector? How can variable renewable energies be integrated in an efficient energy system at lowest costs?
The Council meets twice a year, holds stakeholder dialogues and outreach events, and prepares policy papers on strategic topics of mutual interest. Four comprehensive studies, each in cooperation of a German and a Japanese research institute, have been the basis for 15 joint key recommendations during the 1st phase. The 2nd phase to 2020 will study the role of hydrogen and digitalisation for the energy transition, as well as other topics. The paper presents the findings and recommendations of the GJETC of the first phase 2016-18 as well as first results of the second phase. It also reviews the setup of the GJETC and the way it works, to assess if and how it can serve as a role model of bilateral cooperation on the energy transition.