Hi ,

Germany has missed its legal climate targets for several years in a row. Nevertheless, federal governments have repeatedly violated the Climate Protection Act, presented inadequate climate protection programs, and failed to meet deadlines. Instead of ensuring more accountability in climate protection policy, the federal government plans to soften sectoral targets with the amendment of the Federal Climate Protection Act. In a study presented in September, IKEM shows how a different approach can be taken: Our colleague Michael Kalis has examined how target deviations and breaches of obligations in climate protection can be better addressed. The result is a comprehensive catalog of measures for more commitment in climate governance - you can find further details on this matter in the newsletter.

In addition, we present three publications that also deal with the question of how we can make climate protection more effective: A dissertation on the topic of "grid boosters" shows how climate protection measures can be implemented more quickly without jeopardising social acceptance. Moreover, we present an info poster on decarbonising shipping and a new working paper on electrifying heavy freigh transport through Electric Road Systems.

Electric Road Systems are also the focus of our events in October: Get excited about the IKEM Annual Conference on October 19, 2023, for which you can now register. On the same day, the AMELIE II Final Conference will take place, during which the project consortium will present its introductory vision for the e-Highway.

We hope you enjoy the read! 

Until next time, 

The IKEM Communications Team

— Dr. Michael Kalis, author of the study and head of the IKEM Research Academy

Among others, the study recommends the following measures:

• Strengthening the Council of Experts on Climate Issues, e.g. through consultation obligations or a right to propose measures.
• Introduction of a further supervisory authority at the Federal Constitutional Court, including the possibility of an appeal by associations.
• Creation of a climate protection coordination office based in the Federal Chancellery.
• Definition of clear legal consequences for readjustment in the case of missed targets and breach of duty by the federal government.

The third edition of the IKEM publication series has been published by Springer. Dr. Ilka Dörrfuß’s dissertation uses the practical example of “grid boosters” to address a central challenge of climate protection and the energy transition: How can urgently needed measures be implemented more quickly without jeopardising social acceptance?

Electric Road Systems (ERS) are infrastructures – such as overhead lines or inductive charging technologies – that enable electric vehicles to be supplied with energy while driving. These systems have the potential to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, particularly in heavy freight transport. As part of the CollERS2 project, IKEM has now published a working paper outlining the development and implementation of a transnational ERS network in Europe.

Many non-fossil fuel propulsion methods reach their limits when it comes to transporting container ships over long distances. Green ammonia, in contrast, has excellent characteristics for use in shipping. With this info poster, the IKEM Climate and Innovation Department illustrates the potential of green ammonia for decarbonising the maritime transport sector.