Leadership and the Energiewende: German Leadership by Diffusion

Abstract

The German energy transition—or Energiewende—stands out globally as one of the most prominent and widely discussed plans to transform an energy system. However, the ways in which Germany can and does promote the diffusion of its model remain to be systematically reviewed. Aiming at closing this gap, this article develops an analytical framework for “leadership by diffusion” and applies it to the Energiewende. We find that, while Germany’s aim of gaining followers has led to it becoming a highly active leader, a comprehensive strategy for effective leadership is still to emerge. Tapping the full potential of Energiewende leadership will require bundling existing initiatives and strengthening the availability of information on this transformation in the making. At the domestic level, the implementation of the Energiewende in Germany will need to consider the policy model’s abilities to trigger innovation and generate knowledge and lessons that can facilitate policy action elsewhere.

A Polycentric Approach to Global Climate Governance

“…Organizations such as the International Carbon Action Partnership or the World Bank-driven Partnership for Market Readiness focus on fostering such policy diffusion processes related to carbon market design. In a similar vein, renewables technology transfer promotes the implementation of renewable energies around the globe (Steinbacher and Pahle 2016). These explorative and diffusing practices can be driven by state and nonstate actors in various forms so as to foster innovation in several areas, from technology development to the refinement of policies and institutional design (Hoffmann 2011)-all possibly reducing the costs of mitigation.…”

The geopolitics of negative emissions technologies: learning lessons from REDD+ and renewable energy for afforestation, BECCS, and direct air capture

“…For example, Germany has often been presented and presents itself as a frontrunner in RE employment (Jänicke, 2011) and this led the government to push hard for e.g. RE subsidies and feed-in tariffs in various countries while at the same time was part of Germany soft-power stance on climate change issues (Steinbacher & Pahle, 2016). Regionally, RE has given new impetus towards the European Energy Union and its geopolitical ambitions, e.g.…”

“…In some cases, RE production is part of national climate leadership and has become a trademark for the country's energy policy and this again proves that ideational and material aspects are closely intertwined. For example, Germany has often been presented and presents itself as a frontrunner in RE employment (Jänicke, 2011) and this led the government to push hard, for example, RE subsidies and feed-in tariffs in various countries while at the same time was part of Germany soft-power stance on climate change issues (Steinbacher & Pahle, 2016). Regionally, RE has given new impetus toward the European Energy Union and its geopolitical ambitions, for example, in the context of the witnessed any large-scale deforestation but aimed at being included in the scheme (Turnhout et al, 2016).…”

A review of the German energy transition: taking stock, looking ahead, and drawing conclusions for the Middle East and North Africa

“…(The rapid cost decreases achieved in the past years, especially for solar PV, have had positive spill-over effects for renewable energy deployment around the world and helping to curb CO 2 emissions elsewhere.) [28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40].…”