Heating Oil Doesn’t Have to Be Harmful to the Climate

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AVIA has launched the first CO2-neutral heating oil on the market, with no extra cost to consumers for its environmental friendliness. The emissions generated from burning AVIA heating oil are now offset through effective climate protection projects.

Outside of Germany, AVIA invests in a total of four different projects in four countries. These include a run-of-river hydropower plant in the Himalayas in India, reforestation in Uruguay, investments in more efficient cooking stoves in Uganda, and improvements in energy efficiency in Mongolia. (Note: these projects are listed on AVIA’s website as of 2021.)

Prof. Franz Josef Radermacher commented on this positive development: “Limiting global warming will only succeed if the wealthier half of the world – and thus the economies in these countries – provides the funding for concrete CO2 reduction measures, both at home and worldwide. In this sense, AVIA’s initiative is truly groundbreaking.”

For AVIA, this investment is part of a business strategy that began 15 years ago, focusing on alternative and renewable sources for heating and energy supply. Overall, the project can save over one million tons of CO2-equivalent per year – equivalent to the consumption of approximately 185,000 households

The full press release can be found here.

Image source: John R Perry (pixabay)

New FAW/n Research Project in Cooperation with the BMZ

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FAW/n is working with partners in interaction with the BMZ on an exciting new mandate. Research Project: “A Better Design of Globalization: Action Potentials from a Development Policy Perspective”.

The project comprises two sub-projects: “Value Chains and Sustainability – Opportunities and Limits under WTO and EU Law” and “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 2015-2030 – Requirements for Global Governance and Implementation Possibilities”.

Sub-project I of the Research Project:

“A Better Design of Globalization: Action Potentials from a Development Policy Perspective”. Study: “Value Chains and Sustainability – Opportunities and Limits under WTO and EU Law”. The topic of sustainability is gaining increasing international significance in the context of global value chains. The BMZ is particularly active in this field and, following major accidents in textile production facilities in Bangladesh and Pakistan, has launched initiatives with high public visibility. Among other outcomes, this has led to the establishment of the label “Alliance for Sustainable Textiles”, which has since been joined by a large number of German manufacturers and retail chains in the sector. The study will specifically examine six approaches of varying degrees of impact:

  1. Use of labeling instruments
  2. Subsidies via a trade levy
  3. Value-added tax options and customs preferences
  4. Public procurement
  5. Economy for the Common Good
  6. Changes at the WTO level

Sub-project II of the Research Project:

“A Better Design of Globalization: Action Potentials from a Development Policy Perspective”. Study: “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 2015–2030 – Requirements for Global Governance and Implementation Possibilities”.

This study takes the recent adoption of the 17 so-called Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its starting point. Behind the 17 SDGs lie 169 sub-goals. As with the earlier MDGs, these goals are legally non-binding, there is no dedicated budget, and the exact implementation responsibility is unclear, aside from each government’s obligation to implement them within its own territory. The absolutely necessary international interaction, without which many goals cannot be achieved, is far less clearly defined. This particularly applies to essential financing instruments, which must ultimately be borne directly or indirectly by wealthy countries if development is to succeed – similar to the newly agreed Green Climate Fund and other instruments providing at least USD 100 billion per year in support of activities in poorer countries in the climate sector.

However, providing these funds will be challenging, and many obstacles stand in the way of implementing the goals. This is especially true as some goals contradict each other, at least given current technology. Clearly, the goal of increasing prosperity for more and more people alongside rapidly growing global populations is not compatible with the formulated environmental protection goals under today’s technologies and current global market regulations. The study seeks to identify which immediate, implementable measures are still possible. It also discusses what a global governance structure with a real chance of implementation should look like – one that can potentially achieve the goals. Such a structure must also induce the development of other technical solutions that enable increased prosperity with low resource consumption while avoiding a climate catastrophe for people worldwide. This can build on the recent international reorientation toward sustainable economic systems, shifting the perspective from free markets to ecologically and socially regulated markets (green and inclusive markets as well as green and inclusive growth).

FAW/n Mourns the Passing of Lothar Späth

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FAW/n has received with deep sadness the news of the death of former Minister President of Baden-Württemberg, Lothar Späth.

As Minister President, Lothar Späth made a significant contribution not only to advancing our state and establishing the Science City of Ulm, but also, in this context, to founding the then Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing (FAW) – the first institute for artificial intelligence in Germany – together with partners from industry and the University of Ulm. After his transition from politics to business, Lothar Späth maintained close ties with the FAW, especially with the institute’s director, and later also with FAW/n. Companies from his sphere of influence, such as Jenoptik and m + w Zander, were at times sponsors of the FAW. We will preserve the memory of Lothar Späth with deep respect and gratitude.

Photo: Inauguration of the FAW–fischertechnik production facility in 1990. From left to right: Klaus Fischer (fischer Group of Companies), Dr. Eberhard Leibing (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Stuttgart; then Chairman of the Board of Trustees), Hanns Albrecht Maute (Ministry of Economic Affairs, Stuttgart), Lothar Späth, Helmut Xander (LEG, builder of the FAW), Institute Director Prof. F. J. Radermacher, Prof. Werner Mellis (then Daimler Benz AG, Ulm)

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Image source: Wikimedia

UN Climate Conference in Paris 2015: Press Release

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Prof. Franz Josef Radermacher, President of the Senate of Economy International, welcomes the results of the Paris Climate Summit. What was achieved there is a major step forward. Of course, many had hoped for more – but that was not realistic. What has now been achieved represents half the battle on the path toward meeting the 2°C target – and perhaps it may even be possible to stay below it. The current outcome opens up an opportunity for the private sector to deliver the other half. Voluntary climate neutrality and corresponding measures by companies, organizations, and individuals are the key. The World Forest Initiative of the Senate illustrates what now needs to be done.

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In a sense, politics has now closed the gap that previously prevented the private sector from truly addressing the issue of climate change. We now have a kind of upper limit for future CO₂ emissions, and that is good news, because it means we can now work toward a defined target. We expect that this agreement will reduce cumulative global CO₂ emissions by around 500 billion tons by 2050 compared to the levels that would have been emitted without the agreement. This is not enough to fully meet the CO₂ target, but it is still significant – roughly half of the total task ahead. And now that we have an upper limit, we know what still needs to be done: approximately another 500 billion tons by 2050. The private sector can achieve this through voluntary programs, provided that political actors support this approach. In particular, the private sector can – and will – voluntarily invest, beyond legal obligations, to retire emission rights and/or to tighten the annual amounts of greenhouse gas emissions available to countries and governments through contractual arrangements or other mechanisms.

The complete press release can be found here.

Image source: Wikimedia

FAW/n Press Release – New Role for Dr. Dirk Solte

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Dr. Dirk Solte Appointed Managing Director of the Publishing House Versicherungswirtschaft

The former Deputy Chairman of the Board of FAW/n, Ulm, will assume leadership of the Karlsruhe-based publishing company Verlag Versicherungswirtschaft GmbH on October 1, 2015. The company’s sole shareholder is the association Verein Versicherungswirtschaft e.V. Since 1946, the journal Versicherungswirtschaft has accompanied the insurance sector as a recognized forum for both practitioners and academics.

Over the past ten years, Dirk Solte has distinguished himself in the fields of future studies, the global financial system, and sustainability through the publication of books and educational materials. As one of the founding department heads at FAW’s predecessor institute, he also developed extensive expertise in modern information and communication technologies, multimedia, and “management of change.” In Ulm, Neu-Ulm, and the surrounding region, the renowned expert and sought-after speaker also served for several years as Telematics Commissioner. Dr. Solte’s connection with the Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing (FAW/n) will continue as he takes on his new professional role.

Dr. habil. Thomas Kämpke – Obituary

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After a long and serious illness, our esteemed colleague passed away on Monday, January 2, 2015.

Dr. Kämpke, who previously worked at RWTH Aachen and for an extended period at the University of Passau, came to Ulm together with the FAW/n Director F. J. Radermacher. Dr. Kämpke played a major role in shaping the development and work of the Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing (FAW) from 1987 to 2004, and later of FAW/n from 2004 onward, as a senior scientist. With his broad background in mathematics (habilitation in mathematics at the University of Ulm in 1992), his interdisciplinary scientific education, and his excellent sense for practical applications, he made numerous significant contributions over the years.

At FAW/n, he was centrally involved in analyses concerning the social balance of societies, the mathematics of Lorenz curves, the modeling of the German energy system, and the analytical groundwork for the work of the Club of Rome. His research particularly addressed questions about the future development of humanity in light of global trends in population, innovation, and sustainable development.

Thomas Kämpke was a trusted advisor to many thanks to his reliability, scientific creativity, and consistently kind and thoughtful manner. At the University of Ulm, he served for many years as a Privatdozent (lecturer), mentoring and inspiring numerous students in both teaching and research. It is deeply painful that Thomas Kämpke has left us – and this world – far too soon. We will miss him greatly and cherish his memory with profound gratitude for the time we were privileged to share with him.

Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his sister, Eva Kämpke.

The obituaries from InMach and FAW/n, published in the Südwest Presse on January 10, 2015, as well as the condolence card from his sister, Eva Kämpke, are available for viewing.

Image source: congerdesign (Pixabay)

Book Announcement: When Do We Have Enough? Europe’s Ideals in the Crosshairs of Elite Power / by Dirk Solte

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We must resist the dictatorship of the markets! Our society is further removed from sustainability and sustainable development than ever before! This book sheds light on Europe’s cultural achievements and the “Babylonian confusion of thought” that clouds our understanding today. It reveals the mechanisms that lead to self-enrichment and legalized plundering, and explains how we are ruled by the terrorism of a radical market morality. Dirk Solte explores how the global financial system and sustainability are connected, why the world fails to agree on what is clearly necessary, and how we can defend Europe’s ideals in order to preserve our peace-based model of prosperity. A passionate call for a strong Europe!

PD Dr. Dirk Solte holds a doctorate in industrial engineering, a habilitation in business administration, and is a futures researcher. As a renowned keynote speaker, his main fields of expertise include the global financial system, sustainability, and globalization. He works on explanatory and solution-oriented approaches for an eco-social social and economic order. The author serves as Deputy Chairman of the Board at the Research Institute for Applied Knowledge Processing (FAW/n) in Ulm, is a Privatdozent at the University of St. Gallen (HSG), and is active in the “Economy and Financial Markets” division of the Senate of Economy in Bonn. Dirk Solte is a sought-after interview partner and has published numerous academic articles, educational materials, and books.

Further information

Image source: Goldegg Verlag, Dariusz Sankowski (Pixabay)

Impacts of “Big Data and Analytics” on Employment and Fair Participation

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Dr. Dirk Solte spoke at the OECD Global Forum on the Knowledge Economy in Tokyo about the impacts of Big Data & Analytics on employment and fair participation.

According to Dr. Solte, defining Big Data and Analytics is by no means simple, which is why he began his talk with a humorous analogy: “Trying to find a correct answer to a question through Big Data and Analytics,” he said, “is like trying to learn about the behavior of a pig by analyzing many potluck dinners using mathematical methods.”

In the first part of his presentation, Dr. Solte explained what Big Data and Analytics are about and what they are used for. The key difference from conventional data and analytics, he noted, lies in the emphasis on correlation rather than causality in the traditional sense. He then provided an overview of several results from his analysis. Big Data, he said, has significant potential to promote green and inclusive growth, but it also carries the risk of technology-induced unemployment. The number of currently 26.75 million unemployed people could, according to Dr. Solte, rise to 53.5 million. However, it would primarily be middle-class jobs that are affected, while the number of highly qualified positions is expected to increase. The major question for the future, therefore, is how to close the emerging gap in the labor market.

Following Dr. Solte’s 15-minute lecture, a discussion took place with both the audience and the other invited speakers. You can find the full presentation as a video recording here.

Image source: Christina Morillo (Pexels)

Appointment of Dr. E. Herlyn as Professor and Freelance Associate at FAW/n

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Professorship Appointment during the “WissensNacht Ruhr”: Teaching Sustainability

Essen, May 22, 2014. The FOM University of Applied Sciences has appointed a new Professor of Sustainability: 41-year-old Dr. rer. pol. Estelle Herlyn. The certificate will be presented during the WissensNacht Ruhr (Knowledge Night Ruhr) on October 2 in Essen – a fitting setting for the occasion. The university will participate in the event with a comprehensive program, and the newly appointed professor will contribute directly to the lecture block “Sustainability and Climate” from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

“Since 2010, FOM University has been working within a rectorate project to consolidate all its sustainability initiatives and to develop an overarching strategy that defines specific areas of action for management education,” explains Prof. Dr. Stefan Heinemann. “This began with the implementation of an evaluation tool and continued with the establishment of a dedicated research institute – the Competence Center for Corporate Social Responsibility”. According to FOM’s Sustainability Officer, the creation of an additional professorship focusing on this area was therefore the next logical step.

Dr. Estelle Herlyn studierte Wirtschaftsmathematik an der TU Dortmund und arbeitete zunächst mehrere Jahre in einer Unternehmensberatung sowie verschiedenen internationalen Unternehmen. Schwerpunkte waren dabei Supply Chain Management, SAP und Projektmanagement. 2012 absolvierte sie an der wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der RWTH Aachen eine Promotion zu Fragen einer balancierten Einkommensverteilung als entscheidendem Aspekt der sozialen Dimension der Nachhaltigkeit. Es folgten eine Tätigkeit als Lehrbeauftragte am FOM Hochschulzentrum Aachen sowie eine bis heute bestehende freiberufliche Mitarbeit am FAW/n, einem Institut, das sich Fragen einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung in weltweiter Perspektive widmet. Sie ist außerdem Vorstandsmitglied des Forums Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft (FÖS). Die gemeinnützige FOM Hochschule gehört zur Stiftung BildungsCentrum der Wirtschaft (BCW) in Essen. Aktuell zählt die Hochschule in über 30 Städten in Deutschland mehr als 26.000 Studierende. Das Besondere: Sie absolvieren die staatlich anerkannten und akkreditierten Bachelor- und Masterstudiengänge berufsbegleitend parallel zu Job oder Ausbildung. Dr. Estelle Herlyn studied business mathematics at TU Dortmund and initially worked for several years in management consulting and various international companies, focusing on supply chain management, SAP, and project management. In 2012, she completed her PhD at the Faculty of Business and Economics at RWTH Aachen University, researching balanced income distribution as a key element of the social dimension of sustainability. She subsequently taught as a lecturer at the FOM University Center in Aachen and continues to collaborate as a freelance associate with FAW/n – an institute dedicated to issues of sustainable development from a global perspective. She is also a board member of the Forum Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft (FÖS), a non-profit organization promoting the ecological-social market economy. The non-profit FOM University is part of the BildungsCentrum der Wirtschaft (BCW) Foundation in Essen. Today, the university serves over 26,000 students across more than 30 cities in Germany. What makes it unique is its study model: all state-recognized and accredited Bachelor’s and Master’s programs are pursued part-time alongside professional employment or vocational training.

Webseite der FOM

Further information:

Image source: © Prof. Dr. Estelle Herlyn

Fundamental Framework for a Potential Global Climate Agreement

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UN Climate Conference 2015 in Paris

Key points of the presentation explained by Prof. Radermacher:

1. Negotiation logic according to the Copenhagen formula: Industrialized countries reduce their greenhouse gas emissions annually, determining themselves by how much. Non-industrialized countries reduce their emissions relative to their economic growth rate and likewise determine the extent of reduction themselves.

2. Allowing border adjustment charges against non-signatory countries: Negotiations should include the possibility for the signatories of the climate agreement to impose border adjustment charges on non-signatory countries in the amount of the competitive advantage gained through non-participation.

3. Financing a Green Climate Fund: Industrialized countries are to provide at least USD 100 billion annually starting in 2020 to support developing countries in climate-related areas. This serves as a prerequisite for engaging them as partners in a global climate agreement.

4. Mobilizing the private sector: On the national level, in addition to specific implementation strategies (e.g. legal requirements, regulatory frameworks, tax measures, state-recognized or -supported standards, promotion of a “green race”), motivation and incentives should be provided – particularly for the premium segment of the private sector – to voluntarily achieve climate neutrality.

5. Global Neutral: Establishment of a Global Neutral initiative at the UN level (modeled after the Global Compact) to motivate companies, organizations, and individuals to pursue voluntary climate neutrality.

The text is available in German, English, French, and Spanish.

Image source: Gerd Altmann (Pixabay)