Gütersloh, 01.10.2024 – As the world continues to face the pressing issue of climate change, the slow progress of the energy transition is now threatening the goal of achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by the middle of the century. A recent study has compared the efforts of four European countries, revealing that Denmark and Norway are leading the way in transitioning to renewable energy sources for heating and electricity, while also making significant strides in the road transport sector. However, the UK and Germany still face numerous challenges in their transition efforts.
According to Christof Schiller, governance expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung and head of the Sustainable Governance Indicators (SGI), interim targets are crucial in achieving climate neutrality. He stresses the need for early warning indicators to track infrastructure development and ensure that political measures are in place to support acceleration.
In a joint study by the Research Institute for Sustainability – Helmholtz Centre Potsdam (RIFS) and the Bertelsmann Stiftung, this approach was applied to the electricity, road transport, and heating sectors. The study highlights the progress made by each country in their transition efforts, identifies challenges they face, and provides recommendations for accelerating progress. The results show that Denmark and Norway are leading the way in the electricity and heating sectors, while Norway has nearly completed its shift to e-mobility. On the other hand, Germany and the UK still have a long way to go in their transition efforts. The study suggests that decarbonization by mid-century is achievable, but only if policy targets, regulations, and infrastructure are better aligned.
In order to accelerate Germany’s renewable electricity transition, the study recommends clear targets for expanding grids, increasing storage capacity, and aligning transmission goals. Similarly, the UK needs to set similar targets and develop a plan to phase out gas production. Denmark, with its clear targets, is on track to achieve 100% green electricity by 2029, while Norway has already decarbonized its electricity supply.
The study also highlights the challenges faced in the road transport sector. Germany, with its high electric vehicle costs and lack of charging stations, is struggling to meet its short-term e-mobility goals. The decline in combustion engine vehicles is not enough to achieve zero emissions by 2045. Denmark and the UK also need to develop more consistent strategies, while Norway is expected to reach 100% electric vehicle sales by next year, thanks to early financial incentives. “Norway’s progress in e-mobility is based on the early actions taken to provide financial incentives for emission-free vehicles,” explains Thorsten Hellmann, an economics expert at the Bertelsmann Stiftung.
In the heating sector, Germany must double its heat pump installations to meet its 2030 goals, while the UK is even further behind. Meanwhile, Denmark has made significant progress in achieving emission-free heating, having banned oil and gas boilers in 2013. Norway is also on track to achieve full heat pump coverage by 2030.
For further information, please contact:
Dr. Christof Schiller, phone: +49 030 275788-138
E-Mail: christof.schiller@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
Thorsten Hellmann, phone +49 5241 8181-236
E-Mail: thorsten.hellmann@bertelsmann-stiftung.de
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The Bertelsmann Stiftung is committed to ensuring that everyone in society can participate in political, economic and cultural life. Their programs focus on Education and Next Generation, Democracy and Social Cohesion, Digitalization and the Common Good, Europe’s Future, Health, and Sustainable Social Market Economies. Established in 1977 by Reinhard Mohn, the Bertelsmann Stiftung is a nonprofit foundation.
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