Bedingungen einer neuen ökologischen Industriepolitik

Wirtschaftsdienst - Zur Erreichung der globalen Klimaziele ist eine drastische Emissionsminderung in allen Sektoren wie Energiewirtschaft, Gebäude, Verkehr und Landwirtschaft notwendig. Zudem...     

The challenges facing energy and climate change policy in South Africa

Conclusion In the context of a political situation characterised by a large number of demands from different spheres, it must be doubted whether the South African government will commit its limited financial and institutional resources to develop and implement programmes to raise energy efficiency and reduce emissions of green-house gases to the extent required. For this reason it is important in the political debate to underline the point that energy-saving measures not only help avoid climate change, but also hold out the prospect of economic advantages. Higher energy efficiency is often associated with higher productivity due to the link between the deployment of modern technology and energy-cost savings. The DME has calculated that nation-wide energy savings of between 10 and 20% could lead to a 1.5 to 3% higher level of GDP. Energy efficiency and climate protection have been adopted, at least as a principle, in a number of statutes and regulations, but the concretisation and implementation of support programmes and minimum standards are being hampered by the lack of political and administrative capacities. Yet delays in implementing such measures are likely to raise the costs of climate-protection measures in the future. For instance, it is more costly to put in insulation and ceilings after a house has been built than to incorporate the requirements of heat insulation into housing construction programmes. If expensive negative developments in the future are to be avoided, among other things the scope for international cooperation in this areas should be exploited.     

German industry's voluntary commitment to reduce CO2 emissions — No substitute for an active policy against climate change

Conclusion On the basis of current studies it can be concluded that the offers made by sections of German industry promise no more than can anyway be expected due to the trend decline in specific energy consumption. Moreover, it must be borne in mind that it is only the energy-intensive sectors that have made such a commitment. Voluntary commitments limited to a small number of branches cannot substitute for the broad-based climate-protection concepts put forward by the Enquête Commission set up by the German Bundestag. If the Federal Government is concerned about its environmental credibility it should not refrain from pursuing an active policy to counter climate change.