Sector coupling allows heat networks to contribute to grid stability while advancing their transformation with renewable electricity. In this context, Yannick Würkert and Franziska Stamme examine the legal framework for sector-coupled heat supply at the district level.

The Roadmap Norm from the TransHyDE lead project analyses existing technical standards and identifies normative gaps relevant for scaling up the hydrogen economy. It focuses in particular on the transport vectors liquid hydrogen, LOHC and ammonia, outlining research and standardisation needs to support informed regulatory decisions in politics and industry.

In this article for ZUR, Dr Michael Kalis takes stock of the Federal Climate Change Act five years after its entry into force. He examines the practical performance of Germany’s climate governance system, marked by missed targets and compliance shortcomings.

Dr Alexandra Appel will speak at the autumn conference of the South Tyrolean Platform Land on 3 December. Her presentation will explore the transformation of mobility in rural areas and outline related challenges, solutions and future perspectives.

The 2024 amendment of the Building Energy Act was intended to provide fresh momentum for climate action in the buildings sector. Another reform is now underway. At the next Forum Wärmewende on 10 December 2025, we will discuss the federal government’s plans and the requirements of industry and consumers for a future-proof Building Energy Act.

Our partners at Ellery Studio presented their newest book in Berlin: a successor to the Infographic Energy Transition Colouring Book, this edition focuses on the future of heat. The launch event on 4 November was moderated by our colleague Anika Nicolaas Ponder.

Flat-swap models may offer benefits for climate action and housing availability. A WWF webinar on 20 November explored how such approaches could be implemented. Leonie Durschang contributed legal expertise to the discussion.

Alongside the testing of airborne wind energy systems, IKEM assesses the legal framework and develops acceptance strategies for this technology within the EKEleVate project. At the meeting on 24 November, partners discussed the next steps for the initiative.

On 24–25 November, Prof. Dr Michael Rodi took part in the anniversary celebration and accompanying conference of the Research Centre for Climate Protection Law at the University of Graz. In his contribution, he analysed key issues in international climate law and discussed current challenges and future perspectives for global climate governance.

On 25 November, IKEM welcomed a delegation from Social Science Seed (Taiwan). Anika Nicolaas Ponder and Julie Hertel discussed why understanding public motivations is crucial—and how compelling narratives can mobilise the “silent majority” to support effective climate action.

Gas procurement is undergoing significant change. At the Energy Roundtable on 26 November, hosted by VNG AG, we discussed how strategies and partnerships are evolving and what role innovative procurement approaches may play in the future.

On 27 November, we celebrated the end of the year together with IKEM staff, the board, alumni and friends of the institute.

The latest issue of Climate and Law is now available. Contributions include:

• Robert Brückmann: Strategic heat planning with legal effect – leveraging synergies

• Isabel Daum / Dr Carolin Schlößer: Human rights gaps in the UN plastics treaty drafts

• Frederik Braun / Dr Julian Schemmann: The 2025 KSpG amendment – a breakthrough for CCS, CCU and the CO₂ market ramp-up?

• Tjarda Tiedeken: The “ecological person” in criminal law?

• Julius Fabian Stehl / Yannik Pilot: Climate liability without borders? – Doctrinal analysis of the Hamm Higher Regional Court decision in Lliuya v. RWE

• Robert Riep: Environmental Damage Caused by Marine Litter (book review)

• VGH Mannheim 22.04.2025 – 14 S 125/25: Unsuccessful urgent application against the “Brand” wind farm

• ECtHR 01.07.2025 – No. 46906/22 – Engels and others v. Germany: Climate complaint against the German Climate Protection Act ruled inadmissible

• ECtHR 07.05.2025 – No. 14620/21 – de Conto v. Italy and others: Climate complaint regarding alleged psychological impacts of climate change deemed inadmissible

   

Are you researching legal aspects of climate change and interested in publishing your work? Contact the editorial team: klimr@ikem.de.

Join the IKEM team! We are currently recruiting:

• Legal trainees
• Interns

We also offer positions for doctoral researchers.

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