Energy and Climate - Heinrich Böll Foundation

International Conference

Towards the energy independence of municipalities and regions

This international conference is intended for representatives of municipalities, regions, public administration, media and anyone interested in issues of energy and energy independence.

19 June 2013, 10:00 to 16:00, The Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague

With increasing energy prices, dependency on fuel supplies from unstable regions and problems in agriculture, the energy independence of municipalities and regions generates multiple benefits. Energy and fuel payments do not flow away from the region but support farmers, entrepreneurs and give jobs to local people. Energy independence also contributes to environment protection and energy safety.

Specific examples from the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria will provide illustrative case studies. Representatives of these municipalities and regions will present their approaches to decreasing energy dependency and share their practical experiences.

The conference is organized by the Czech Climate Coalition in cooperation with the Embassy of Austria, Heinrich Böll Foundation Prague, Calla and AF-CITYPLAN Ltd./League of Ecological Alternatives.

For registration and more information please contact: barbora.hanzlova@ecn.cz, phone: 274 822 150

Program (in Czech)

Why is electricity getting more expensive?

- This year, a German household will pay 12% more for electricity than last year. Electricity bills are rising for Czech consumers too, although at a slower rate than in Germany. The rising price of electricity is already becoming a social and therefore also a political problem. Ironically, the production cost of electricity is decreasing in both countries, while the Czech Republic exports about one-fifth of its electricity abroad. What then is causing the rise in electricity prices, and how do renewable sources of energy and the German energy transformation (Energiewende) impact them? Are we paying more because of high gross margins charged by energy monopolies and oligopolies, or due to excessive prices for distribution? Is the high price of electricity maintained by various legislative exceptions and compensation or support mechanisms created by inadequate regulations?

15 May 2013, 9.30 - 15.00, Hotel Jalta, 45 Václavské náměstí, Praha

Program

Working languages: English and Czech, simultaneous translation. Please RVSP by 10 May on info@cz.boell.org.

The German Energy Transition

Website Launch: The German Energy Transition – Arguments for a renewable energy future

December 4, 2012 -

Increasing storms, more wildfires, and devastating droughts: The impact of climate change is felt around the world. The U.N. climate negotiations in Doha, Qatar (COP 18) are crucial to move towards a global agreement to fight climate change. But negotiations don’t replace action on the ground. It is important that countries to decarbonizes their economies and transition to a renewable energy future.

European Union needs a common vision for its energy future

The Heinrich Böll Foundation commissioned a working group of experts from politics, industry, applied science and civil society considering the challenges of European energy security, economic competitiveness and sustainability and the need to convince governments, businesses and European citizens of the practical feasibilty of a common European vision. As a result of a series of expert meetings, the report ‘A European Union for Renewable Energy’ provides a collection of policy ideas for two key areas that will define the future of renewable energy development in Europe: grids, and support and remuneration schemes for renewables. The report shall serve as a stepping stone on the path to our sustainable, renewables-based future. At a moment of deep economic and institutional crisis in Europe, the vision of a ‘European Union for Renewable Energy’ is a positive project to give the EU a new push for integration.

Further information about speakers and presentations at the report launch in Brussels can be found here.

Climate and Resources

Fairness in a Finite World - Rio +20 Dossier

20 years after the first Earth Summit, the international community will gather in Rio de Janeiro from the 20th to the 22th of June 2012. Rio 2012 is a call to action and an occasion to take part in political debate over the pressing issues of our time and the search for solutions. How much growth can a finite planet tolerate? How can we end hunger in a world of abundance? How can we use our wealth of natural resources fairly and sustainably?

Read the dossier

Climate, migration and security

- The intersection of climate change, human migration, and conflict presents a unique challenge for US foreign policy in the 21st century. These three factors are already beginning to combine in ways that undermine traditional understandings of national security and demand a rethink of traditional divisions between diplomacy, defense, and economic, social and environmental development policy. This report and video provides the foundation and overview for a series of papers focusing on the particular challenges posed by the cumulative effects of climate change, migration, and conflict in some of our world’s most complex environments.

Dossier and video

Sharing Solutions: Transatlantic Cooperation for a low carbon economy

- September 16, 2011 - This publication analyzes conditions for progressive climate and energy policy at the regional and state level. It discusses how regions with a strong coal, manufacturing or rural economy are affected by climate and energy policies, and how way policies should be designed to soften the impact of structural change toward a low-carbon economy. more»

NGOs and Climate Crisis: Fragmentation, Lines of Conflict and Strategic Approaches

- Climate policy active NGOs and movements are fragmented and characterized by heterogeneous interests. Cleavages exist in important issues and the choice of strategies. A discussion of complementary strategies and division of labor is an urgent need.
Barbara Unmüßig

Read the article

The Czech government wants to strengthen atomic energy – even at the price of subsidies

January 9, 2013 - In the Czech Republic, a new State Energy Policy is currently being prepared. The current energy policy dates from 2004, and its contents are inadequate for modern industrial trends. Unfortunately, the Czech government has decided to turn its back on opportunities to increase energy efficiency and the use renewable resources. Instead, the basis of the new energy policy is to be the construction of more nuclear reactors. Martin Sedlak more»

Energy Efficiency as a main pillar of Energy Policy

- March 11, 2013 - The Prague Conference represented energy efficiency as a key part of progressive energy policies. European countries invest into energy efficiency through policies, which encourage investment in the energy sector and overall economic growth. This enables a productive and innovative energy market, offering business efficiencies whilst reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Further information and audio recordings from the conference»

German "Energiewende" – An Opportunity for the Czech Republic

- July 17, 2012 - Clean energy sources are reducing Germany’s dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power, and are creating new jobs. Renewables play an important role in supporting employment during an economic recession, and in building energy independence in Europe. It is precisely for this reason that the Czech Republic should take note of the rising trajectory of clean energy in Germany. Martin Sedlák more»

Future of the energy systems

- October 28, 2011 - The international conference "What the future of energy systems willl be?" on 13. October in Prague fostered an international debate on the cost of nuclear power, the prospects of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. During the conference, The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2010-2011 and update was presented by its lead author, Mycle Schneider, and we offer you video of his presentation as well as PPTs presentations of other internationally and locally renowned energy experts.

A Green New Deal for Europe - Towards Green Modernization in the face of Crisis

November 13, 2009 - In the face of the current multiple crisis (financial, economic, social, environmental), the need for sustainable policies is self-evident. The Green New Deal is the integrated policy approach that Greens in Europe are putting forward as a solution to the crisis. The current report by the Wuppertal Institute analyzes in depth the climate, environment and energy aspects of this proposal.
more»

Transforming the World in Crisis

April 4, 2009 - Prague NGO Declaration - We, participants of the conference The World In Crisis: Economies and Policies for Global Transformation have discussed for three days in Prague the root causes, impacts and responses to the financial crises, economic meltdown, climate change, mismanagement of natural resource use, increasing inequity and volatile food and oil prices from the systemic perspective of the world's poor and vulnerable. more»

Which way out of the food crisis? - Review of the conference “The global food crisis, one year on. How to achieve food security.”

- March 13, 2009 - On 4 March 2009, Glopolis and the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung convened a conference entitled “The global food crisis, one year on. How to achieve food security.” The program was focused particularly on those structural causes of the food crisis related to the areas of agriculture and trade. Aurele Destree more»