Exchange of experiences necessary for successful global energy transition – report

An international exchange of experiences and mutual learning are key for a successful energy transition worldwide, according to a report on the status of the transition in China, Europe and the USA by the German Energy Agency (dena), China National Renewable Energy Center (CNREC) and others. The energy transition and climate action can become a success if they are tackled jointly on a global scale, dena head Andreas Kuhlmann commented on the report. States around the globe were increasingly facing the same issues. “This makes it all the more important for us to exchange ideas and experiences,” he said. According to the report, other key elements include that short-term goals must be adaptable on a regular basis, but a clear long-term vision is necessary as well. The report says Germany, as Europe’s biggest economy and most populous country, “is a particularly good example of a highly industrialised nation that aims at decarbonising its economy.”.

Though the country has achieved a remarkable increase in renewable power generation as part of its landmark energy transition (Energiewende), Germany’s track record on cutting climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions is mixed – despite last year’s largest emissions drop since 2009 recession. One major reason for Germany's stubbornly high emissions is its continued use of coal-fired power production. The results of the so-called coal commission setting the way for a coal phase-out are being observed worldwide, says the report.