Fostering the Coal Consensus – The Contribution of Sustainability Research

As part of its goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand renewable energy generation, the Federal Government has implicitly decided that coal-based power generation is to be phased out in Germany. The precise details and timeline for the exit from this important fossil fuel are proving to be a major stumbling block for efforts to advance the German energy transition. The fact that coal-based power generation has been traditionally important for industrial and employment policy in Germany is slowing progress on climate protection goals. In an article published in the latest issue of the scientific journal GAIA, Daniela Setton and Sebastian Helgenberger from the IASS show how transformative sustainability research in this field could provide valuable input for policymakers and civil society as we move to overcome this pressing challenge.

Den Kohlekonsens befördern: Zum aktuellen Beitrag der transformativen Nachhaltigkeitsforschung. - GAIA - Ecological Perspectives for Science and Society, 25, 2, p. 142-144.