Prof. Dr. Sonja Peterson

The KlimaF-I project analyzes the significance of research and innovation (R&I) measures for achieving climate policy goals. Both the scientific and the application-oriented policy perspective are considered. The aim of the project is to develop an in-depth understanding of the importance of R&I measures for the achievement of climate policy goals, taking into account systemic and cross-measure effects. The focus of the project is on German climate policy, which interacts closely with European climate policy.

The EMF 36 study “Carbon Pricing After Paris (CarPri)” will investigate how the Paris Agreement on steep greenhouse gas emission reductions can be reached through climate policy measures, in particular by means of more stringent carbon pricing. The starting point of the analysis are the national climate action plans submitted to the Paris Agreement by individual countries (the so-called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions – INDCs) which comprise national emission reduction pledges and policy instruments for emission reductions. The EMF study will provide an impact assessment of existing climate action plans and discuss alternative climate policy regimes to meet the Paris targets. The fundamental objective is to provide robust insights into policy options trading off key dimensions of a sustainable climate future, i.e. environmental effectiveness, overall economic performance and the incidence of regulatory measures.

Climate economist Prof. Dr. Sonja Peterson sees the financial support for South Africa announced at the COP26 climate summit as a first important step in helping countries with large fossil energy resources to transition to renewable energy production. Other support programs should follow if comparable countries are to join in an ambitious international climate policy.

Leibniz institutions launch novel research initiative for "Integrated Earth System Research".

The Kiel Institute demands comprehensive climate policy reforms from Germany and Europe to get its greenhouse gas emission development on track with emission reductions required for achieving Paris Climate Agreement. The goal must be to extend the European Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to all sectors and greenhouse gases. A realistic way to achieve this could be a multi-stage procedure, starting with national solutions and a separate emissions trading system for sectors not yet covered. Competitive disadvantages against non-European countries could be avoided through border adjustment measures.

Technological development and innovations play a decisive role on the path to climate neutrality. In the short run, the dissemination of already developed and market-ready technologies is crucial for global greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. In the long run, however, much of the GHG emission reduction will be driven by technologies that are in the early stages of development and not yet ready for the market. Against this background, governments globally finance Research and Innovation (R&I) measures to support the development and to accelerate the market take-off of green technologies. These measures complement climate policies to support technology diffusion and the take-off of green technologies.

The Global Solutions Summit—the World Policy Forum—is an international conference aimed at addressing key policy challenges facing the G20 and G7.

The Global Solutions Summit—the World Policy Forum—is an international conference aimed at addressing key policy challenges facing the Group of Twenty (G20).