In 2011, the German government set the ambitious goal of an energy transition by 2050, the so-called Energiewende. Meanwhile, the EU Commission is also considering far-reaching targets. But how can these objectives be reached? Which role does energy efficiency play, and how can its potential be increased? This was the subject of Ecologic Institute’s Riverside Chat on 9 May...Read more
On 6 December 2011, the Ecologic Institute hosted a Riverside Chat on the implications of Germany’s energy policy shift for a group of high-level international visitors, including policy makers and journalists from EU Member States, Norway, Belarus, Switzerland and China. The program was co-organised by the Ecologic Institute on behalf of the Goethe Institute.
The following expert speakers presented their...Read more
General conditions for a further expansion of renewable energy in Germany are favorable: rather ambitious long-term strategic goals were set; a number of measures to achieve them were implemented; and the phase out of the use of nuclear energy was agreed upon. Remains to see what challenges will arise along the road towards a shift to 100 % renewable energy?...Read more
How should coastal zones be managed to best adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise? What is the severity of the threats involved, and what are the decisions and tradeoffs that must be...Read more
Climate change, energy security and peak oil are challenges that industries, governments and citizens need to tackle in a common effort. The transformation of the energy sector offers a still widely untapped opportunity for addressing these challenges. On...Read more
On the road to providing energy for the whole economy without significantly increasing carbon emissions and without using nuclear power, energy efficiency is one of the most important companions. Yet, its potential is still underutilized – in Germany...Read more
Human activities have affected the environment to such an extent that we are now living in a new geological epoch: the so-called ‘Anthropocene’. This was one of the central points made by Dr. Simon Dalby, Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies at Carleton University, Ottawa, during a dinner dialogue on 15 February 2011. The dinner dialogue was organized by...Read more
In March 2011, The National People’s Congress has approved China’s 12th Five-Year-Plan, setting targets that also related to climate and clean energy issues. At a German-Chinese Riverside Chat on 31 March 2011 in Berlin, China’s commitment to international...Read more
The role of agriculture in future climate policies and different bioenergy applications were discussed at an Ecologic Transatlantic Riverside Chat that took place on the Potomac River in Washington DC on 10 July 2009. The event was part of the second transatlantic farmer-to-farmer exchange that brought together farmers from Germany and the US, as well as scientists and journalists with...Read more
On June 24, 2009, an International Riverside Chat brought Michael Allegretti and Dr. Georg Riegel together to discuss transatlantic opportunities in moving toward a low-carbon future. Michael Allegretti is the Head of Government Relations at the Climate Group, and Dr....Read more
On 5 May 2009, an Ecologic International Riverside Chat brought Michael Kohlhaas and Nils Meyer-Ohlendorf together to discuss the opportunities of the current economic crisis for creating a more sustainable economy. Michael Kohlhaas is a Research Associate at the Department of Energy, Transportation and Environment at...Read more
On May 6, 2008, an Ecologic International Riverside Chat brought together Alina Bokde and Nicole Wilke to discuss the topics of adaptation and adoption of climate policies in the context of addressing the challenges associated with climate change....Read more
On 28 November 2007, an Ecologic Transatlantic Riverside Chat brought together Dr. J. Morgan Williams and Jay Benforado to share and discuss perspectives on European policies regarding renewable energy and innovative approaches towards sustainability. The speakers highlighted the strength of European and German positive attitudes towards renewable energy, while stressing the continuous challenge the transition towards a sustainable energy system still imposes. Opportunities and challenges for innovation and leadership were the recurring central themes of the discussion, which took place between policy makers and representatives from think tanks, business, NGOs and Academia. Read moreBioenergy and climate friendly farming practices were discussed at the first in a series of Transatlantic Ecologic Riverside Chats that took place in Berlin on 17 August 2007. The event was held on the occasion of the visit of 30 farmers as well as policy makers, scientists, and journalists with an agricultural background from within Germany and the United States...Read more
