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The European Dimension of Germany’s Energy Transition pp 241–252Cite as

Germany: Frontrunner in Europe with Respect to Energy System Transition?

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Abstract

In Europe, Germany is the greatest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions. With ambitious targets regarding reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and use of energy carriers, Germany aims to be a frontrunner in Europe with respect to energy and environmental policy. However, increasing problems after harvesting “low-hanging” fruits and increasing activities of other countries strengthen the impression that Germany may not be a “frontrunner” or a “leader” anymore. Using indicators with respect to greenhouse gas emissions, to energy use and supply, as well as to technological aspects, we analyze the role of Germany in the European context. The results show that other countries demonstrate partially better performances. Germany can still be regarded as a leader with respect to PV and wind power plants. However, there are signs that Germany could lose some of its remaining advantages. Thus, for Germany, the label “frontrunner” should be used more carefully.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The 20-20-20 targets are for the year 2020 and include 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels), 20% of EU energy from renewables, and 20% improvement in energy efficiency (European Commission 2017).

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Energy and Climate Research – Systems Analysis and Technology Evaluation (IEK-STE), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Jülich, Germany

    Stefan Vögele & Christopher Ball

Authors
  1. Stefan Vögele
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  2. Christopher Ball
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Vögele .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Economics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

    Erik Gawel

  2. Department of Economics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

    Sebastian Strunz

  3. Department of Economics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

    Paul Lehmann

  4. Department of Economics, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Leipzig, Germany

    Alexandra Purkus

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Vögele, S., Ball, C. (2019). Germany: Frontrunner in Europe with Respect to Energy System Transition?. In: Gawel, E., Strunz, S., Lehmann, P., Purkus, A. (eds) The European Dimension of Germany’s Energy Transition. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03374-3_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03374-3_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-03373-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-03374-3

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

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