For many years, it seemed to me the German business community and their associated lobby groups were dragging their heels in the shift to a renewable energy future, delaying or even blocking progress every step of the way. Policymakers had to push grudging companies toward this future, while business leaders noisily complained the energy transition was leading the country down a blind alley.

But now, the tables appear to have turned. By and large, it is companies that suddenly lead the way, while reluctant policymakers have to play catch-up. Countless new emission-cutting business ideas and innovations are popping up – both in young companies and industry behemoths – but are restrained by outdated regulation. An ever larger part of the business community is now concerned that Germany is falling behind in the global race to a low-carbon future.

The transition itself – and my perception of the shift – was subtle and gradual, but a few key moments stand out. Obviously, the tone of the debate had started to shift noticeably after the Paris agreement, when it finally dawned on many companies that Germany’s energy transition was not an isolated phenomenon, but had morphed into a global trend. Secondly, the landmark “Climate Paths” study by the powerful and in my view rather hesitant – to put it mildly! – Federation of German Industries (BDI) stated in early 2018 that the energy transition is good for the German economy. I vividly remember a seasoned and visibly stunned colleague whispering to me during the presentation: “Wow – Do I get this right? The industry now wants the energy transition!?”

A few months later, I wrote a deep-dive analysis for Clean Energy Wire with the headline “German industry embraces Energiewende transformation challenge.” At the time, I was seriously concerned about going out on a limb with this title – was this not going too far?

Thankfully, the events unfolding in the months to follow substantiated my interpretation. Industry now appears largely united in its vocal call for a price on CO2 emissions; VW announced its ambition to turn from dieselgate pariah to zero-carbon pioneer; chemical giant BASF plans to lead the way towards a low-carbon future, Thyssenkrupp sketched its path to hydrogen-based steel production, Lufthansa will start sourcing renewable fuel, and so on.

Obviously, many of those companies still have to put serious money where their mouth is. But it’s a start, and we see increasing evidence that a rapidly increasing number of company commitments to decarbonise now go well beyond greenwashing.

The idea has now firmly taken root in much of the business community that decarbonisation is an irreversible phenomenon – and that you can make good money when you take the lead. Visiting start-ups like Lumenaza, Thermondo and ubitricity for our ongoing series of portraits was also a revealing experience in this regard - their overall dynamism, optimism, ambition and confidence is infectious.

My impression is that both environmental journalism and business journalism still need to adapt to these new realities, and I can’t wait to discuss these issues at the Global Energy Transition Journalism conference #GETJO19.

Next week, I’ll be heading to the world’s largest industry fair in Hanover. I can’t wait to see how the fight against climate change is reflected there. Let's see whether there is even more evidence of a tectonic shift.

Andreas Kuhlmann, head of the German energy agency, dena, and Scott Clavenna, co-founder and chairman of Greentech Media, will kick-off #GETJO19 with first-hand insights from shaping the energy transition and keeping a close eye on the companies involved. Their keynotes will set the scene for two days of discussions and lively debate with some 100 journalists and a growing list of first-rate expert speakers from media, business, NGOs and science. For the grand finale, Sparknews founder Christian de Boisredon will tackle how solutions-oriented journalism can make a difference, and present impressive examples of the international media cooperation his initiative has triggered. [Click for full programme and list of speakers. Sign up.]

Andreas Kuhlmann and energy agency dena are household names in the debates about the Germany’s Energiewende, never shy of taking a clear position on why businesses should get stuck in to the transition and why government should listen to their needs. As a governmental organisation, dena has positioned itself as the "agency for the applied energy transition", working with policymakers and companies alike on market instruments and innovative business models. Andreas is plugged in to the capital’s energy politics through his previous work in parliament and government, as well as for energy industry lobby BDEW, and will give #GETJO19 insight into the business landscape of the energy transition and the trends to watch out for.

Greentech Media founder Scott Clavenna, meanwhile, will offer ideas on how journalism can best cover the rapidly changing business landscape. Launched as a digital provider of integrated news and research, Greentech Media now is part of energy research and consultancy firm Wood Mackenzie. With his experience as a media entrepreneur and previous work as an analyst, Scott can not only shed light on the major trends, he also has compelling ideas for how journalists can report on the rise of a new industry and contribute to a new business model without becoming entangled in business interests themselves.

On Monday, Sparknews founder Christian de Boisredon will suggest a different approach to making journalism part of the solution to global problems. Inspired by his own travels, Christian wrote a book about the solutions to the world’s big challenges. He has worked with some of the world’s most prestigious media on solution-oriented stories, creating a cross-border drive to break with the media’s traditional, problem-focused approach. His inspirational experiences also raise questions about journalistic ethics and professional standards.

These keynotes are just the icing on an exciting line-up at the #GETJO19: Top climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer, former editor-in-chief of Handelsblatt Global Andreas Kluth, BIZZ-energy magazine founder Joachim Müller-Soares, head of the Berlin office of Germany’s KfW bank Sabrina Schulz, and Kerstin Rippel from grid operator 50Hertz are just a few of the names who will bring a whole range of views to the debate. Last but certainly not least, our fellow journalists from across the globe will be able to voice their ideas, over what we are looking forward to as an inspiring and fun two days.