Alongside digitalization, climate change is the megatrend of our time. Our economy is still largely dependent on fossil energies. How must the economy be shaped so that it is in harmony with the environment? What does an economically efficient and socially acceptable climate policy look like? How can energy needs be met more and more from renewable sources? Can the transformation to a circular economy succeed? These and other questions are addressed by the Environment Energy Infrastructure competence area at the Institute of German Business.
Environment

About the topic
In 2015, Germany and the EU set themselves ambitious goals by signing the UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. Important levers for greater sustainability exist, for example, in transport, the building sector and industry. The EU also has big plans when it comes to climate protection: The Green Deal is intended to pave the way to a climate-neutral future. The money for this - one trillion euros - is to be raised via a fund and come from private investors.
German Economic Institute (IW)

Factors Influencing the Decentralised Energy Transition in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the most populous of Germany’s sixteen states and an industrial heartland, is a particular focus of the energy transition. Despite considerable progress in expanding the use of renewable energy, NRW still lags far behind other German states.
IW

Urban mining for a circular economy: How high are the raw material potentials through urban mining?
Natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce, one reason being that significantly more natural raw materials are currently being mined and processed worldwide than Earth can provide over the same period.
IW

The material metabolism of North Rhine-Westphalia
The current use of natural resources exceeds planetary limits and thus endangers the resilience of the Earth's ecosystem. The growing consumption of raw materials and the resulting increase in waste and emissions constitute a long-term threat to the ...
IW

Employees in the renewable energy sector: Renaissance of vocational training?
In order to master the ecological transformation of the real economy, many qualified specialists will be needed in the coming years.
IW
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Factors Influencing the Decentralised Energy Transition in North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), the most populous of Germany’s sixteen states and an industrial heartland, is a particular focus of the energy transition. Despite considerable progress in expanding the use of renewable energy, NRW still lags far behind other German states.
IW

Urban mining for a circular economy: How high are the raw material potentials through urban mining?
Natural resources are becoming increasingly scarce, one reason being that significantly more natural raw materials are currently being mined and processed worldwide than Earth can provide over the same period.
IW

The material metabolism of North Rhine-Westphalia
The current use of natural resources exceeds planetary limits and thus endangers the resilience of the Earth's ecosystem. The growing consumption of raw materials and the resulting increase in waste and emissions constitute a long-term threat to the environment and thus to the basis of human life.
IW

How Much Do Infrastructure Problems Affect Businesses in Germany? Results of IW Surveys
In recent months, closed motorways, congested seaports and cancelled freight trains have combined with already high energy prices and material shortages to cause exasperation in Germany’s business community.
IW

Employees in the renewable energy sector: Renaissance of vocational training?
In order to master the ecological transformation of the real economy, many qualified specialists will be needed in the coming years.
IW