Together with partner organizations, FAW/n has developed an 8-point plan for an effective and affordable energy transition. The document, which has already been widely circulated publicly, calls for a fundamental shift in German energy policy to realign economic strength, climate protection, and energy security. The collaboration involved Global Energy Solutions, the Senate of Economy (Senat der Wirtschaft), 4Pi-Solutions, and the think tank R21 (denk-fabrik R21).

Despite high expenditures, Germany leads neither in electricity prices nor in CO₂ emissions: Electricity costs risk rising by up to 100%, while CO₂ emissions (at 380 g/kWh) remain far above those of countries like France. The German Federal Audit Office (Bundesrechnungshof) has criticized rising system costs and questioned the effectiveness of current measures.

Our plan presents eight practical measures for an affordable and effective energy transition: competitive electricity prices in Germany, market-based incentives instead of bureaucracy, CO₂ capture at fossil fuel power plants, sensible use of hydrogen and CO₂-neutral fuels, as well as a potential return to nuclear energy. New wind and solar installations should be able to compete in the market without subsidies. The use of German natural gas is also proposed as a transitional solution

Implementing these measures could not only relieve pressure on German industry and prevent deindustrialization, but would also free up substantial funds year after year. These resources could be partially invested internationally in climate protection, which would then lead to an effective global solution for building prosperity and climate protection contributions, while also helping to solve the climate crisis internationally – for example by supporting developing and emerging countries.

Just in time for the 2024 Frankfurt Book Fair (October 22, 2024), Murmann Verlag has published “ALL IN! Energy and Prosperity for a Growing World”.

ALL IN! – Energy and Prosperity for a Growing World by Franz Josef Radermacher and Bert Beyers – along with many collaborators – is a passionate appeal for a realistic and fair global energy transition. The authors criticize Germany’s focus on an “All-Electric” strategy and exclusively renewable energy as insufficient, unrealistic, and unaffordable. Given the rapidly growing global energy demand – especially in the Global South – they advocate for a technology-neutral approach, which includes fossil fuels with carbon capture as well as modern nuclear power.

The book emphasizes the need to support developing and emerging economies in achieving economic growth, even if this leads to higher emissions, in order to combat poverty. At the same time, industrialized nations must invest heavily in making climate-friendly technologies globally accessible. This is the only way to effectively combat climate change.

Radermacher and Beyers argue for pragmatism over ideology and global cooperation over national solo efforts. Their goal: prosperity for all while limiting global warming and preserving biodiversity. ALL IN! is a call for a course correction in energy policy – realistic, solidarity-driven, and future-oriented.

Key Arguments:

·        ALL IN! – We must immediately start utilizing exclusively climate-neutral and safe energy sources: renewables, fossil fuels with carbon capture, and nuclear energy.

·        ALL IN! – This requires a pragmatic and technology-neutral approach – in a symbiosis of technology and nature.

·        ALL IN! – The climate challenge will not be decided in Germany, Europe, or even the U.S., but rather in China, India, and Africa. Climate nationalism is not the answer – and Germany’s “All Electric” approach is also a dead end.

The book can be ordered from Murmann Publishers (order here), from Thalia (order here), from Hugendubel (order here), or at your local bookstore of choice.

Image source: FAW/n & Global Energy Solutions