16920

SoSe 23: Power and welfare: German energy policy and (geo)politics

Daniel Louis Nethery

Comments

Subject: On 26 March 2023 German citizens over 18 years of age who reside in Berlin will be eligible to vote in a climate referendum. Its proponents claim that, if successful, the referendum will require the Berlin city government to implement a socially just transition to climate neutrality by the year 2030. This direct democratic approach to provide certainty over climate goals comes, however, at a time of not inconsiderable political and economic uncertainty: the referendum will be held only six weeks after fresh elections for the Berlin city government, while the ongoing energy crisis continues to underpin levels of inflation unknown in recent German history. Program: We will take the proposals put to Berlin voters, and the arguments for and against, as a starting point for an analysis of current German energy policy and (geo)politics. We will trace the changes in the German energy mix since reunification in technological, political, social and environmental perspective. Should the German federal government have responded to popular political sentiment by prioritising the phase-out of nuclear power ahead of coal? Is coal power more carbon intensive than natural gas? Is the current shortfall of renewable energy in the electricity and transport sectors technological in nature or, as those behind the Berlin climate referendum claim, due to a lack of political will? These are some of the questions which the course will address. By the end of the semester you will have a gained an overview of German energy policy and an understanding of the relation between the (geo)politics of the German energiewende and the concept of a socially just energy transition. Is this course for me? This course will complement a program of study in the humanities and social sciences and also be of interest to students of business, economics, policy and the environment. There are no prerequisites. Workload and assessment: You will qualify for 5 ECTS points if you engage with the course materials, your attendance is satisfactory, and you pass the written examination at the end of the semester close

13 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Thu, 10:00 - 12:00 13 Class schedule

Thu, 2023-04-20 10:00 - 12:00

Lecturers:
Daniel Louis Nethery