Forum Climate Economics 7

Virtual Roundtable Series

05 - 06 Oct 2020

Invitation only

A series of three roundtable discussions set the stage for the Forum Climate Economics 7 of the Dialogue on the Economics of Climate Change. The roundtables brought together researchers and representatives from the private sector, politics, civil society organizations, and public administration to discuss the three core topics that center around the fossil fuel phase-out: How can the structural transformation succeed amid the tensions between European climate ambitions, international obligations, and the challenges caused by COVID-19? How to design these transformations to make them socially just? What path dependencies arise from legally mandating the coal phase-out?

The three roundtables started off with short scientific presentations to set the frame for exchange and discussions between the audience and notable voices like Artur Runge-Metzger (Director of DG Climate Action, European Commission), Prof. Dr. Barbara Praetorius (HTW Berlin), Dr. Michael Pahle (Head of working group "Climate & Energy Policy" at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research).

Note that the virtual roundtables were not be recorded.

Participation at one or more roundtable discussions is only possible via personal access code. If you are interested in participating, please contact E-Mail Address protected. Please enable Javascript..

The European Green Deal in times of the COVID-Pandemic

How can Germany and the EU keep the Paris climate targets within reach?

11:00 - 13:00

5. Oktober 2020

Moderation:
Dr. Elmar Kriegler & Ramona Lorenz
| Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

The EU has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 with the Green Deal. Against the backdrop of the shock caused by the COVID-pandemic, will the Green Deal be enough to send a strong signal for the international implementation of the Paris Agreement? How realistic is the success of the Green Deal within the EU, especially the necessarily rapid fossil fuel phase-out? Are the consequences of the COVID-crisis and the ensuing stimulus packages an opportunity or a risk? What role can Germany and its EU Council Presidency play? This roundtable discusses the chances of the implementation in Europe, the international signaling effect of the EU Green Deal, the role of Germany, and the fossil fuel phase-out in times of COVID-19.

A Socially Just Transformation

How can everyone be taken along on the journey to a low-carbon economy?

15:00 - 17:00

5. Oktober 2020

Moderation:
Prof. Dr. Christian von Hirschhausen & Dr. Pao-Yu Oei
| TU Berlin

Germany and the European Union have allocated billions for policies promoting “Just Transition” and “Green Recovery” in the upcoming years. They want to implement ambitious measures that support the structural change and make the transition to a low-carbon economy “just and inclusive for all”. However, questions arise about the efficient use of these funds, the actual and the perceived fairness of these policies, as well as their long-term sustainability. In this roundtable, leading experts will discuss the currently most important research findings to identify policy recommendations for a socially just transformation that achieves German and EU climate targets.

The German Climate Protection Plan

From coal to natural gas: does a new lock-in loom?

16:00 - 18:00

6. Oktober 2020

Moderation:
Prof. Jan C. Minx, PhD & Dr. des. Arwen Colell
| MCC Berlin

The German government has recently passed the law to completely phase-out coal as a source of energy. The experiences from other regional coal phase-outs has shown that important challenges and questions remain that need to be addressed: What has to be done to make the coal phase-out a success for German climate policy? How can we avoid that there will only be a shift from coal to natural gas? And how can the resulting economic and structural change in the affected regions be shaped positively? This roundtable will discuss the political economy of a fossil fuel phase-out looking at competing interests, institutions, and ideas to develop science-based recommendations for political decisionmakers.

Virtual Roundtable Series

The European Green Deal in times of the COVID-Pandemic

A Socially Just Transformation

The German Climate Protection Plan

The Financial Sector as Climate Protector? The Potential of Sustainable Finance