Hi ,

from 11 to 24 November, politicians, scientists, and civil society actors from all over the world gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan, to negotiate important climate issues. Opinions and demands differed widely, but in the end it was decided to triple climate financing for developing countries. These countries are already severely affected by the consequences of climate change and are therefore demanding financial compensation. We talked about the significance of these financial flows from the Global North to the Global South in an interview with Michael Kalis, who was on site in Baku. He shares his impressions with us – from the negotiations to the role of the host country.

We also provide a detailed report on the four side events organized by IKEM at COP. In cooperation with the Ukrainian Pavilion, IFZO and OSCE, among others, panels were held on topics such as the reform of the energy sector in Ukraine and the connection between energy, climate and security.

We would like to share an exciting new publication with you – a chapter by Matthias Hartwig in the 3rd edition of the Legal Handbook on Autonomous Driving – and take a look back at last month's events. We also invite you to the next Berlin Energy Round Table, which will take place on December 17.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of our newsletter!

Until next time,

The IKEM Communications Team

— Dr. Michael Kalis, Head of Research Academy

The Europe-Ukraine Energy Transition Hub (EUETH) and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine hosted the side event “Transnational Approaches to Energy Sector Reform in Ukraine” on November 14. Against the backdrop of the Russian war of aggression and its severe impact on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, this discussion highlighted the urgent need for cooperation to rebuild and modernize Ukraine's energy sector. Simon Schäfer-Stradowsky emphasized: “The energy transition in Ukraine is of central importance not only for the country's recovery, but also for Europe's collective energy security.”

Together with the OSCE, IKEM organized this official side event on 18 November under the banner of fair and green transformation. Around ten high-level speakers from various organizations and academia discussed the complex relationships between climate policy and other policy areas as well as social, economic and environmental aspects. A particular focus was placed on the security aspects of the transition, as Michael Rodi explained: “More and more important international security organizations such as NATO, the OSCE and even the UN Security Council are addressing climate issues. This is logical insofar as climate policy is closely intertwined with security issues.”

As a result of the ongoing conflict, Ukraine faces the triple challenge of combating climate change, protecting the environment and rebuilding the country. These challenges were the main focus of this side event, which took place on November 19. The panel, organized by IKEM, EUETH, IFZO and Mistra Geopolitics, brought together experts from the fields of climate science, ecological peacebuilding and nature conservation. The discussion focused on innovative environmental protection approaches that combine climate protection and adaptation with impulses for lasting peace and stability. Till Reinholz and Ievgeniia Kopytsia contributed a global perspective to the discussion.

This side event, held on November 16, dealt with the connections between energy, climate and security, which are illustrated by the war in Ukraine and the Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. The expert panel with Michael Kalis and Simon Schäfer-Stradowsky discussed Ukraine's challenges in the areas of energy transition, climate adaptation and geopolitics. Simon Schäfer-Stradowsky highlighted: “The expansion of renewable energies should take place in close coordination with relevant defence authorities in order to demonstrate how easily the goals of renewable energies can be reconciled with the requirements of security policy.”