Agora Energiewende - Jointly addressing the energy transformation
Making the transition to alternative energy sources in Germany real, poses a complex challenge, yet it also offers a great opportunity for international climate protection. If Germany succeeds in feeding its energy system primarily from renewable sources and without nuclear power, while at the same time being economically successful and meeting the emissions targets, this would send out a striking signal to other nations. Stiftung Mercator and the Euro¬pean Climate Foundation have therefore initiated the “Agora Energiewende”.
Structure and organization
The core focus of the “Agora Energiewende” is on pursuing a dialogue with key actors in the area of energy policy about how to achieve the central goal of the energy transformation: namely the more or less complete decarbonization of the energy sector in Germany by 2050, first and foremost by dramatically expanding the use of renewable energies. Using dialogue platforms, participation processes and research projects, the aim is to improve the knowledge base about practicable paths into a regenerative future. Rainer Baake, former state secretary in the Federal Ministry of the Environment, will be the new initiative’s director. Based in Berlin, the Agora Energiewende will commence its work in spring 2012. The “Agora Energiewende” is an initiative of Stiftung Mercator and the European Climate Foundation within the framework of the Smart Energy for Europe Platform (SEFEP). SEFEP was launched by both foundations in 2009.
Objectives
The objective of the “Agora Energiewende” is to enable key energy policy actors to form opinions about how to bring about the energy transformation in order to pave the way for a mindful and nimble implementation of the political decisions.