WBGU report "Development and Justice through Transformation
Published
In 2015, a historic double success was achieved for sustainability and climate policy. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement on climate protection define an ambitious global target system. The group of the twenty most important industrialised and emerging countries (G20) should now resolutely press ahead with the implementation of both agreements and perceive the Great Transformation towards sustainability as a unique modernisation project that offers considerable economic development opportunities. For example, the complete decarbonisation of the global economy needed to avoid the greatest climate risks can only be implemented with a profound transformation of energy systems and other emissions-intensive infrastructures. The transformation inspires innovation and directs investments towards sustainability and climate protection, including in the sustainable infrastructures to be built and expanded. At the same time, the transformation can be used to fight inequality, i.e. to advance inclusion within societies as well as globally, and thus become a justice project.
The main recommendations of the report can be found here. Download the report. Order the print version
Renewable energies accounted for 16.7 per cent of total energy consumption in the EU in 2015. This is almost twice as much as a decade earlier. Compared to the previous year, the share rose by 0.6 percentage points, as the statistics authority Eurostat announced on Tuesday. In 2004, when data was first available, the figure was just 8.5 per cent. In 2015, Sweden was ahead with 53.9 per cent, while renewable energies had the smallest share in Luxembourg and Malta with 5 per cent each. The aim is to achieve a total of 20 per cent across the EU by 2020. (ap)
One third of homeowners plan to install in the next twelve months
High electricity prices fuel demand for cheap solar energy
Online survey of 1,000 people - representative survey by age and gender
Germany is increasingly becoming a solar country: this is shown by the Solarwatt Market Study 2023, which the Hamburg-based opinion research institute Appinio conducted in March on behalf of the leading photovoltaic provider. According to the study, 84 percent of homeowners in Germany already have their own photovoltaic system or want to purchase one to generate clean solar energy. Solarwatt conducted the market study for the second time this year after 2022. For the representative survey by age and gender, a total of 1,000 German homeowners were surveyed online in the period from 7 to 14 March 2023.
One third of homeowners plan solar installation in the next twelve months
Just under a third of homeowners who do not currently use solar power are even planning to install a system in the next twelve months (31.8 percent). In the context of the first Solarwatt market study in March 2022, around 25 percent of those surveyed still stated that they wanted to install their own photovoltaic system in the next twelve months. A photovoltaic system (18.2 percent) is already installed in around one fifth of single-family homes in Germany. In 2022, the share was still 14.6 percent, which corresponds to an increase of only 3.6 percent in the past twelve months.
The Solarwatt Market Study 2023 also shows that the main motive for German homeowners to buy a photovoltaic system is currently the potential to save on energy costs (68.2 percent), followed by the desire for more independence from the energy market (61.8 percent) and the desire to do something good for the environment (43.8 percent). "A ten-kilowatt-peak solar system consisting of durable glass-glass solar modules generates clean energy for around ten cents per kilowatt hour from the moment it is installed - and for more than thirty years," explains Solarwatt managing director Detlef Neuhaus. With such a system, homeowners could save tens of thousands of euros over the entire period.
Solar expansion: industry, politics and investors join forces
According to Neuhaus, the Solarwatt Market Study 2023 confirms the population's sustained desire for solar power: "The use of a solar system makes absolute sense for homeowners from an economic and ecological perspective. Moreover, the technology is now fully mature. But if we want to keep and build up the added value here in Germany and Europe in the future, we need a solidarity between industry, politics and investors. Only in this way can we establish a strong solar industry on the old continent in the long term." Solarwatt is one of the pioneers and innovation drivers of the European solar industry with 30 years of experience. In the meantime, every fifth solar system up to ten kilowatt peak in Germany comes from Solarwatt.
A research project conducted by natureplus in conjunction with IFEU compares insulation materials with regard to their environmental impact throughout their entire life cycle, including recovery and recycling.
Which insulation material is the best? This question is extremely popular in the construction industry and can ultimately only be answered in the context of the respective construction. In particular, there has so far been a lack of a holistic overview that enables builders and planners to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the various insulation material alternatives in terms of their life cycle assessment, without having to disregard subsequent disposal. Such a study was presented by ifeu (Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg) and natureplus e.V. at the end of 2019. Their research project "Holistic Evaluation of Different Insulation Alternatives" was funded by the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (dbu) and the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of the Environment. It is to be presented for the first time on 21 February as part of the Vienna BauZ! congress.
From the cradle to the grave
With this study, a comprehensive ecological evaluation of insulation material alternatives was carried out, especially with regard to possible future disposal paths of the insulation materials (from the "cradle to the grave"). The most common types of insulation materials based on mineral, renewable and synthetic raw materials were evaluated, and their application in different building components to meet specified requirements for thermal and cold protection was compared. The life cycle assessment data of the insulation materials for the manufacturing phase were taken from the natureplus partner IBO Vienna after researching various databases. Subsequently, the waste life cycle assessments were prepared by ifeu, in which, in addition to the processing loads, the respective benefits from the secondary products or energy recovery were quantified and included in the balance. For each insulation material, the most favourable disposal option from an ecological point of view was determined. These disposal options were included in the product life cycle assessments and the final disposal of the insulation material was also taken into account.
Material recycling hardly takes place
The waste life cycle assessments of all insulation materials show in most cases the specific advantages of material recycling and thus the sense of returning the waste masses to the economic cycle. The processed waste masses from the insulating materials can be further processed into (other) products or also returned to the original production as raw material. In particular, the recycling of synthetic and some mineral insulating materials significantly reduces the ecological rucksack that these products bring with them from the production phase. Material recycling also makes sense in the case of products made from renewable raw materials, although their use as substitute fuel in cement works is currently still more advantageous from the point of view of climate protection as long as hard coal is burned there instead. In practice, however, the recycling of insulation materials is only practised in isolated cases or for research purposes. The report therefore concludes that research and development of possible material recycling should be promoted in industry and in the field of waste disposal.
In the result Advantages for insulating materials from renewable raw materials
If material recycling takes place at the end of the product's life - contrary to current practice - blow-in insulation materials and flexible mats based on hemp or jute perform best, provided that all insulation types can be used, followed by polystyrene EPS boards and wood fibre mats. Where, as for example on the exterior wall, only board-type insulation materials can be used, EPS performs best, provided that the EPS is recycled in such a way that EPS beads are saved in a subsequent application.
If end-of-life disposal is as in the status quo and the energy benefit is included in waste incineration, the above-mentioned products made from renewable raw materials remain in the lead, but polystyrene deteriorates and dry-process wood-fibre insulation boards improve, even moving into first place on the exterior wall. Without taking into account the energy benefit, wood fibre boards and EPS insulation materials lose their advantages compared to other board and mat insulation materials.
How can Bonn become climate neutral by 2035? This is the question that the participatory project "Bonn4Future - We for the Climate!" would like to discuss together with Bonn citizens over the next two years. Since mid-2019, the climate emergency has been in effect in Bonn; in November 2019, the Council decided that Bonn should become climate neutral by 2035. The city and the non-profit association Bonn im Wandel have now signed a cooperation agreement and thus launched "Bonn4Future".
Very important in "Bonn4Future" is a new culture of mutual listening and good cooperation. All those involved are looking for solutions on how climate neutrality can succeed for our city. Everyone takes responsibility and makes their contribution.
"In order to achieve climate neutrality in Bonn by 2035, it is not only a question of setting the right course at international and national level, but also of all of us here on site," says Mayor Katia Dörner. "On politics, administration, companies and the people of Bonn with their ideas and decisions. We want to enter into dialogue with them in the participatory process 'Bonn4Future', because only in this way can this great transformation process for Bonn succeed. I am very much looking forward to working with Bonn in transition and our committed urban society!"
Project modules: Developing and implementing measures
At Climate Day - which will be scheduled and planned depending on the pandemic situation - citizens are invited to develop a joint climate vision and action plan for a climate-neutral Bonn. The ideas and findings from this Climate Day will flow into a total of four planned Climate Forums - The first is to take place in the first half of 2021. There, 100 randomly selected citizens will work together with experts from business, science, associations, culture, administration and politics to develop strategies and concrete proposals for the path to climate neutrality in 2035.
Results and ideas from the forums are reflected in the administration and in politics. They serve as orientation and support for the further development of the already existing catalogues of climate protection measures.
An Project Advisory Board and an accompanying scientific evaluation ensure a high quality of the participation process.
"Climate change is on people's minds in Bonn, we notice that every day in our work," says Dr. Gesa Maschkowski, board member of the Bonn in Transition association. "Many people want to do something and want effective measures. Now we bring them together. The citizens, people from business, science, culture and the social sector as well as politicians from all parties. Because we have to plan and act now if Bonn is to be climate neutral by 2035 at the latest."
The broadest possible participation should produce constructive ideas and results over the next two years. To kick off the process, citizens can already express their views today at the urban portalwww.bonn-macht-mit.de inform about the process and contribute their ideas on how to make the process work well.
Reaching the goal together
"Bonn4Future - Wir fürs Klima!" already received a lot of support from more than 50 Bonn initiatives before the official start of the project. However, it is important to the creators to bring people from all areas of the citizenry on board. The process is to be supported by all social groups.
An accompanying Communication and education concept is dedicated to building up a communication network. In this way, multipliers are won over and care is taken to ensure that "Bonn4Future" remains a topic of conversation and that many people are motivated to participate.
An important communication tool is also the city-wide, interactive Sustainability platform. It will make visible initiatives, activities and dates on the topic of climate-neutral city, commitment to sustainability and citizen participation in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background
The cooperation agreement that has now been concluded was preceded by a citizens' application for participation in achieving the goal of climate neutrality. Bonn in Transition and the Climate Watch Bonn introduced this at the beginning of the year. In the meantime, the participation concept is supported by about 50 initiatives, companies and organisations. The citizens' committee agreed to it. Bonn im Wandel then developed a concept for the multi-stage procedure with the support of experts for citizen participation and further developed it in cooperation with the city administration.
With a resolution in September 2020, the Council of the City of Bonn finally commissioned the administration to conclude a cooperation agreement with Bonn im Wandel for the coordination and implementation of the two-year process. Funds of up to 719,000 euros will be made available for this until the end of 2022. The project will be implemented in the "Bonn4Future" project office. Here, four experienced experts for communication and participation work on 2.4 positions, supported by the Bonn in Change core team. On the part of the city administration the project is coordinated and accompanied by a half position. There is also a close connection to the citizen participation portal "Bonn macht mit". The participation portal bundles all information on participation offerings of the city of Bonn and provides opportunities for direct participation.
Bonn im Wandel sees itself as an ideas and project laboratory for a sustainable city. The association brings a large network as well as nine years of experience in the initiation and organization of civil society projects and change processes into the process.
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