Dilemmas of Energy and Climate Coupling

Abstract

Concerns about adverse climate change are on the rise in Europe and public pressure for stronger climate action mounts, especially among younger generations. Moreover, existing climate- and energy policy and related market changes are beginning to trigger transitions away from fossil fuels in the European energy sector. However, with a closer coupling of the energy and climate policy fields, policymakers face the challenge of addressing conflicting policy goals and balance the relationship between environmental protection and economic development. The legitimacy and acceptance of additional, more ambitious policies aiming to decarbonize the economy are increasingly challenged, and opposition and protests are growing across Europe for a variety of reasons - ideological, economic, political and environmental. Hence, the stronger coupling of energy and climate policy is increasingly complicating Europe’s green transition. The panel will address dilemmas arising from stronger coupling of the energy and climate policy fields, including efforts to decouple economic growth from environmental impacts in innovative policy proposals like the European Green Deal. We will present papers addressing challenges related to (1) introducing policies that break dominating paradigms depicting a lockstep coupling between environmental protection and economic stagnation; (2) dilemmas in balancing conflicting societal concerns in coal phase-out policies in Germany, United Kingdom and Canada; and (3) achieving ambitious goals for electrification and biofuel policies in the transport sector in Norway.

Title	Details
Climate Justice and Carbon Pricing	View Paper Details
The Bumpy Road to Low-Carbon Transportation: Comparing Norway’s Policies on Biofuels and Electrification of Vehicles	View Paper Details
Balancing Cost and Fairness Concerns in the Energy Transition: Negotiating the Political Feasibility of Coal Exit in Germany and United Kingdom	View Paper Details
Breaking Old Paradigms with New Sustainability Narratives and Innovative Ideas	View Paper Details
How to Go Low Carbon? The Role of Conflicts in Society and Institutional Configurations in Coal Exit Policies in Germany and Canada	View Paper Details