The German
„Energiewende“ from a
worker‘s perspective
Lisa Bauch, Industriegewerkschaft Bauen-Agrar-Umwelt
“The bridge to the future, a climate solution from below”
February 27th, 2014, Oslo
What is the ‚Energiewende‘?
Germany is only average when it comes to ecology.
- For the installation of renewable energies Germany is average.
- Efficiency effects are slowing down since 2010.
- GHG Emissions are decreasing slowlier and even started to rise
again 2013.
- Compared to the 28 member states Germany is only on level 10
when it comes to ecology.
So, why is the Energiewende worth talking about?
Source: Interview with WifO. Frankfurter Rundschau, 7.1.2013
What is the ‚Energiewende‘?
A highly industry–based economy tries to radically change its
energy supply system
 by switching from fossil fuels including nuclear power to renewable
energies
 by reducing the power consumption
This is to be realized by the Energiewende
 a package of different policies, regulations, and laws
 a clear timeline with targets and concrete actions
93 % of the citizen support this.
What is the ‚Energiewende‘?
Package of policies, regulations, and laws
Programme for
the retrofitting
of buildings
Research and
education
Less energy
use
Increase
renewables
…
Industry
Electricity
Emission
reduction
2020: -40%
2030: -55%
2050: -85-95%
Klima-Allianz, 2012
Mobiltiy
Heating
What is the ‚Energiewende‘?
Change of technology
Phaseout of fossile energies
Phase out of nuclear power until 2022
Phaseout of coal power until 2050 (?)
Subsitution by renewables
25 % in electricity consumption
in 2013
12% in overall energy
consumption
The EEG – The renewable
Energy Act
Need for reducing energy
consumption!
What is the ‚Energiewende‘?
Eco-taxes
The workers‘ perspective
Driver for socio-ecological modernisation
From
employment against environmental protection
towards
Employment through environmental protection
The workers‘ perspective
Energiewende is seen as a driver
for a socio-ecological modernisation …
… in which industry and craft sector are main actors
(or have to become).
…from which they benefit enourmously.
A workers‘ perspective
Energiewende is seen as a driver
for a socio-ecological modernisation …
…which sets free large investments and generates
turnover
Investment in renewable
energies
Turnover with renewable
energies
2004: 8,8 bill. Euro
2004: 12 bill. Euro
2012: 19,5 bill Euro
2012: 50 bill. Euro
A workers‘ perspective
…which creates
employment
2012:
377.800
jobs
Source: German Ministry of Environment, 2013
Energiewende is seen as a driver
for a socio-ecological modernisation …
A worker‘s perspective
Energiewende is seen as a driver
for a socio-ecological modernisation …
…which contributes to a different ownership
structure in the energy system
A worker‘s perspective
What do unions do to support the Energiewende
Source: © deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de 2014
Alliance for Work and Environment
Retrofit programme for buildings, 1998-…
A worker‘s perspective
Alliance for Work and Environment
Source: © deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de 2014
f.ex. „Alliance for Work and Environment“, 1998-…
Retrofit programme for buildings
2006 – 2010:
 900.000 credits with a volume of 36 bill. Euro
 75 bill. Euro of Investments.
 2,4 mio. retrofit appartements on energy efficient standards
 4,7 t CO2 – emmission reduction /year.
 340.000 work places maintained and created/year
A worker‘s perspective
What do unions do to support the Energiewende
Energy Efficiency by worker‘s
participation
Source: © deutsche-handwerks-zeitung.de 2014
New training profiles for
green jobs
Green and decent
jobs
Dialogue with civil society
A worker‘s perspective
Five bottlenecks
Storage
Grids
Investment
Knowhow
Acceptance
Energiewende
Lessons learned
Energy transition is possible
Clear framework for investments
We have to do it together ! Participation, inclusion, sharing burdens
and profits
Think European (European Marshall Plan)
Thank you for your attention !