RIFS Discussion Papers and RIFS Workshop Reports

In Germany and France, the average living space per capita has been increasing for decades. This nullifies a large part of the energy efficiency gains in the residential sector.

In Germany and France, the average living space per capita has been increasing for decades. This nullifies a large part of the energy efficiency gains in the residential sector.

For over two years, the Franco-German Forum for the Future has brought together experts and practitioners from France and Germany for an in-depth dialogue on the levers of, and obstacles to the energy transition in both countries.

For over two years, the Franco-German Forum for the Future has brought together experts and practitioners from France and Germany for an in-depth dialogue on the levers of, and obstacles to the energy transition in both countries.

Brazil has set the ambitious goal of becoming the world’s most competitive hydrogen producer by 2030, leveraging its vast renewable energy potential.

In this chapter we provide an overview of hydrogen development in Australia. We begin with a brief overview of Australia’s climate and energy policy and its position in regional and global energy markets.

This chapter reviews Japan’s hydrogen strategy with a particular focus on its international elements. It begins by outlining Japan’s international commitment to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions.

In this paper, the authors discuss the role of China in the emerging geopolitics of hydrogen.

The U.S. is a leading actor in today’s hydrogen economy and possesses significant geo-economic potential to lead in the global clean hydrogen economy. The U.S.

The European Union has identified clean hydrogen as essential to its climate targets, technology leadership and energy security in the decarbonizing world.

This RIFS discussion paper presents preliminary insights from transdisciplinary research on the Co-Creative Reflection and Dialogue Space (CCRDS) implemented at the 25th, 26th and 27th United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

In this report, the authors reflect on three key lessons they learned for the community from the two- day event that led to follow-up questions and elaborations: ▪ Transformative research critically advances from collaborative questioning: Is it r

In mid-2021, the Republic of Nauru invoked a treaty provision at the International Seabed Authority known as the “two-year rule”.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surge in online communication, offering a unique burning glass perspective on the advantages of transferring formerly face-to-face conversations online as well as uncovering limitations of using technical applica

The UK aims to become a leader in green industries by developing a competitive hydrogen industry, bringing new jobs, and revitalizing peripheral areas of the country.

France was one of the European frontrunners in formulating policies to develop hydrogen for decarbonisation, publishing its first hydrogen plan in 2018, followed by a larger, €9-billion plan in 2020, hot on the heels of plans released by the Europ

Poland is the third largest producer of hydrogen in the EU, with around 1.3 million tonnes produced every year.

Hydrogen is a much-discussed facet of Hungary’s energy transition that has seen little progress, but offers an important tool to extend the government’s foreign and energy policy.

This paper examines the challenges and prospects for Norway’s internal and external hydrogen strategy from around 2019, when Norway’s low-carbon hydrogen policies and activities began to gain traction.

Italy presents, potentially, some important comparative advantages in the emerging clean hydrogen economy.

This paper investigates the main elements, drivers and challenges of the hydrogen sector in Sweden. A particular focus is placed on the approach of the Swedish government to hydrogen development and its internal and external dimensions.

The Dutch government believes hydrogen will play an important role in decarbonizing the energy system. Industry, NGOs and the government work together in the Netherlands to setup low-carbon hydrogen supply chains.

This paper examines the recent evolution of the domestic and external dimension of hydrogen in Spain.

This chapter provides a review of Germany’s ambitious import-oriented hydrogen strategy.

The invocation of a treaty provision known as the "two-year rule" at the International Seabed Authority effectively placed a deadline on the Authority to complete the adoption of regulations for exploitation activities within two years, i.e.

Stakeholder engagement has become increasingly important in energy research and is now even required by many funding agencies.

Deep-seabed mining in the Area is regulated by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) which is mandated to act on behalf of humankind as a whole.

Local cooperation between civil society and the public sector is becoming increasingly important – in local transformation projects, in science, and occasionally in politics and administration.

In diesem Beitrag wird das aktuelle Interesse der politischen und wirtschaftlichen Entscheidungsträger in den öl- und gasproduzierenden Staaten des Golf-Kooperationsrates (GCC) an der Wasserstoffenergie untersucht.

This paper examines the recent interest in hydrogen energy among political and economic leaders in the oil and gas producing states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Die lokale Zusammenarbeit von organisierter Zivilgesellschaft und öffentlicher Hand gewinnt zunehmend an Bedeutung: in lokalen Transformationsprojekten, in der Wissenschaft und vereinzelt auch in Politik und Verwaltung.

Dieses Paper behandelt Barrieren und positive Einflussfaktoren auf persönliches und öffentliches Engagement für Klimaschutz.

The 2015 agreement setting forth the UN Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an important achievement that poses complex and demanding challenges.

This report presents a framework for the systematic monitoring of the global hydrogen economy. It suggests data sources and indicators to systematically survey the most important trends and developments of a future global hydrogen economy.

The German government has resolved to phase out coal-fired power plants at the latest by 2038.

This paper focuses on barriers and drivers of personal and public engagement. The success of climate change policies in democracies depends on social consent and ownership of the actions taken.

While the positive impacts of renewable energy for people and the planet are widely recognized, the direct contribution of local renewable energy projects to local community well-being has received limited attention.

Der Ausstieg aus der Braunkohle bis spätestens zum Jahr 2038 ist beschlossen. Die Lausitz wird dadurch eine zentrale Wirtschaftsbranche verlieren, die auch stark die Identität der Region geprägt hat.

People living or working in the Arctic are faced with uncertainty regarding future social, political, economic, and environmental change. This uncertainty is due not least to the ongoing transformations caused by climate change.

While the positive impacts of renewable energy development, the implementation and use of renewable energy for people and the planet are widely recognised, the direct contribution of local renewable energy projects to local community well-being ha

Kopenhagen ist eine der Städte mit der besten Fahrradinfrastruktur weltweit. Um zu verstehen, wie die dänische Hauptstadt das erreicht hat, lohnt sich ein Blick in ihre Vergangenheit.

Post-pandemic recovery plans will play an important role in strengthening healthcare systems and rebuilding economies.

Dies ist ein Bericht über eine Workshopreihe, die das Institut für transformative Nachhaltigkeitsforschung (IASS) Potsdam gemeinsam mit den Auszubildenden („Azubis“) des Braunkohleunternehmens LEAG in den Ausbildungsstätten Jänschwalde und Schwarz

The Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) explores the characteristics, barriers and drivers of promising sustainability transformations, seeks ethically justified concepts of sustainable development and designs and facilitates tran

In this Discussion Paper we show how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the Brazilian Amazon, leading to the collapse of health systems in several Amazon cities, endangering indigenous ethnic groups, facilitating the clearance of huge forested plo

On 27 January 2019, the research group CO2 Utilisation Strategies and Society at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) hosted the International Round Table “Contextualising Carbon Dioxide Utilisation – International Policy Persp

How can science and business help build sustainable societies? This question took centre-stage at the second Global Sustainability Strategy Forum (GSSF), held on 22 - 24 March 2020.

In this Discussion Paper we show how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the Brazilian Amazon, leading to the collapse of health systems in several Amazon cities, endangering indigenous ethnic groups, facilitating the clearance of huge forested plo

This Discussion Paper discusses the implications of the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan for plastic and packaging waste.

Am 4. März 2020 kamen auf Einladung des Auswärtigen Amtes und des IASS Potsdam ca. 30 Expert*innen aus Politik, Wirtschaft, Zivilgesellschaft und Wissenschaft in Berlin zusammen um mögliche Elemente einer Wasserstoffaußenpolitik zu diskutieren.

Despite all the sadness, fear, bewilderment and frustration that it is generating, this pandemic is compelling us to "unlearn" and reshape our realities. In this time of radical uncertainty, two fundamental questions have emerged.

On October 1st, 2019, the CO2nsistent Project (co-financed by the Global CO2 Initiative and EIT Climate-KIC) and the PHOENIX Initiative jointly organized a workshop in Brussels on the topic of CO2 utilization technology and assessment methodologie

Die Studie arbeitet gesellschaftliche Strukturdeterminanten und -dynamiken sowie Frames, Bedingungsverhältnisse, Trade-offs, Kopplungen und Eigendynamiken von Energiewende und – in deutlich verkürzter Form – von Energiekonflikten und von nachhalti

Dieses Hintergrundpapier gibt einen kurzen Überblick über internationale Aspekte einer Wasserstoffpolitik.

The IASS – and the research project Co-creation and Contemporary Policy Advice, in particular – aim to support policymakers in their efforts to address complex societal challenges within the context of a broad transformation towards sustainability

In dem Discussion Paper werden die Bedingungen und Herausforderungen für den transformativen Forschungsansatz des IASS diskutiert.

Wir zeigen, wie die vorgeschlagene 1000 m-Abstandsregelung zwischen Windkraftanlagen und Wohngebäude den Ausbau der Windkraft an Land in Deutschland praktisch stoppen würde.

Das Diskussionspapier untersucht die bilateralen Energiepartnerschaften der Bundesregierung - eines der zentralen Elemente der deutschen internationalen Energiewendepolitik.

Die Förderung des Energieträgers Braunkohle im Tagebau ist mit erheblichen Eingriffen in Landschaft, Wasserhaushalt und Siedlungsstrukturen verbunden.

In order to sketch the possibility space for the future setup of the International Monetary System (IMS), this paper develops four different scenarios that outline potential outcomes of the IMS’s evolution by 2040.

This paper studies the transformation of the International Monetary System (IMS) in the run up to and after the 2007-9 Financial Crisis.

Grundlegende gesellschaftliche Fragen, komplexe systemische Risiken, umfassende Zukunftsentwürfe - sie finden nach Meinung vieler Beobachter keinen angemessenen Platz in der politischen Auseinandersetzung und noch weniger im Handeln von Regierung

Bei der Realisierung einer nachhaltigen Lebensweise kommt der Wirtschaft zentrale Bedeutung zu.

The paper points out that a “balanced mix” of nuclear, wind and solar will be the most expensive option – unless future nuclear reactors can ramp like current open-cycle gas turbines.

Die vorliegende Studie beinhaltet einen Vergleicheiniger diesbezüglich relevanter Länder: der USA,Deutschland, der Niederlande und Russland. Nebeneiner kritischen Überprüfung des jeweiligen nationalenStatus quo (z. B.

Klimawandel, Hungersnöte, Weltwirtschaftskrisen: Viele Risiken sind heute systemisch, vernetzt und nicht über geläufige Ursache-Wirkungs-Modelle erklärbar. Natürliche, technische und sozioökonomische Prozesse interagieren mit gesellschaftlichen.

Here we present a comparison of some countriesof interest: The US, Germany, the Netherlands andRussia, with a critical investigation of their nationalinventories (e.g., data acquisition, monitoring, etc.)and emphasis on the large discrepancies in

This Working Paper sheds light on the role and influenceof non-Arctic actors¹ in Arctic governance.Specifically, it looks at various factors that enable orimpede stakeholder collaboration in the developmentof sustainable governance frameworks for

Dieses Papier gibt einen umfassenden Überblick über die aktuelle Anreizregulierung für die deutschen Verteilernetzbetreiber und deren Novellierung aus dem Jahr 2016.

Climate protection measures and strategies can deliver numerous benefits: from improvements in human health, to fewer conflicts over resources, and a reduced dependency on energy imports.

How could the electricity sector be organised in order to make very high shares of renewable electricity generation (80–100%) feasible? How would this affect the energy market? What implications would it have for market regulation?

How could the electricity sector be organised in order to make very high shares of renewable electricity generation (80–100%) feasible? How would this affect the energy market? What implications would it have for market regulation?

Der Ausbau von Photovoltaikanlagen ist international ein Megatrend. Eine zentrale Frage bezieht sich dabei auf die technischen Herausforderungen bei der Integration in die Niederspannungsnetze.

Die Energiewende ist mit den Stichworten Dezentralitätund Gemeinschaftswerk sowie der herausragendenRolle der kommunalen Ebene verbunden.

Bürger in Deutschland investieren in erheblichemMaß in erneuerbare Energien und profitieren vonden Erlösen. Mit ihrem Engagement sind sie einwichtiger Teil der Energiewende.

More than half of the world’s population currentlylives in cities and, consequently, urbanization hasbeen among the major drivers of global environmentalchange.

Biofuels have been promoted worldwide under the assumption that they can support several transformativeyet unresolved policy goals, such as transitioning towards a more secure and climate-friendly energy system,while delivering other co-benefits t

Im internationalen Umfeld werden Ausschreibungen zunehmend als Förderinstrument für erneuerbare Energiengenutzt.

Zentrale Bestandteile des Erneuerbare-Energien-Gesetzes (EEG) sind der gesicherte Zugang zu Vergütungszahlungensowie die administrative Bestimmung der Vergütungssätze und ihrer Abnahmeraten1.

Sustainable Land Management in Western Kenya – Lessons Learnt and Future Directions InstitutionalStakeholders Workshop – Imperial Hotel, Kisumu; 2 – 3rd March 2016The research project cooperates with the "soil protection and rehabilitation for foo

Technological innovations are crucial for addressing the challenges of expanding and operating the electricity grid posed by the ongoing transformation of the energy system and the integration of renewable energy sources in particular.

Renewable energies are viewed as a means to reconcile the decarbonisation of energy systems with sustainable economic development. The list of their possible social and economic benefits is long and many of these claims have an empirical basis.