Hi ,

The evidence is clear: to achieve our climate targets, we need to end our dependence on fossil fuels. In recent months, the shift to renewables has gained momentum, spurred on by the new administration in Germany and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. In our current transitional phase, the old, fossil-based 'energy world' – and the regulatory framework that governs it – is colliding with a new world built on renewables.  

In this issue of the newsletter, we speak with Judith Schäfer, head of IKEM's Energy Law Department, about how her team contributes to this transition. The department's recent statement on the revision of the Spatial Planning Act (see below!) points to some of the legal and regulatory obstacles to the energy transition – one of the team's main focus areas. 

In this newsletter, we also provide updates on IKEM’s recent activities, such as the successful relaunch of the Berlin Energy Roundtable and the meetings with international partners held in the context of the ORCHESTRA and MobiRural projects.

We hope you enjoy the read!
 

The IKEM Communications Team 

– Judith Schäfer, head of the Energy Law Department 

A legal foundation for a carbon-neutral future

Flexible, decentralised energy production can reduce emissions and put more power in the hands of consumers – if the right laws and regulations are in place. In a recent interview, Judith Schäfer discussed the role of energy law in the fight against climate change and described what a future-oriented regulatory framework might look like. 

On 1–2 February 2023, 17 international project partners met at IKEM for the third ORCHESTRA plenary session. The ORCHESTRA project aims to coordinate and synchronise transport networks (road, rail, sea, air) for better, more resilient traffic management. Attendees exchanged findings and discussed the next steps for the project.

The federal government recently announced its plans to introduce a revised version of the Spatial Planning Act (Raumordnungsgesetz, ROG) in an effort to promote renewable energy expansion and accelerate wind project planning and approval. In a statement, IKEM evaluated these changes and discussed potential areas of concern. 

MobiRural consortium partners gathered in Bucharest, Romania, for a second project meeting. The goal of the meeting was to identify solutions for sustainable rural mobility and create a ‘Rural mobility handbook’ with guidance for implementation.