Environment, Energy, Infrastructure

The reduction of CO2 emissions is a global challenge. The European Emissions Trading System is the central policy instrument to tackle the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. However, all European efforts remain ineffective, as long as fast growing economies such as China and India increase their emissions like they have done in the last couple of years.

Main topics in this policy area are the electricity market as well as the overall supply of energy resources, a market-based integration of renewable energies, the design of electricity markets and securing energy. The challenge here is to take advantage of a better integrated European energy policy.

The transport of goods is a crucial input factor for many economic activities. Therefore, consistent regulation and a functioning transport infrastructure are basic requirements for economic growth. As the transport sector is responsible for a remarkable share of CO2 emissions, there is a strong link to climate protection policy. Right now, there are numerous instruments in place. While, for example, cars are subject to threshold regulation, electric rail traffic is part of the emission trading system.

One big issue in the field of Green Economy is its potential for green jobs. Obviously, the boom of renewables and the importance of sustainable strategies among many companies created many new jobs, but the net effect when taking into account the loss of jobs in more conventional areas such as energy-intensive industries remains an important research subject.