Reflections on the current energy crisis from the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue

This article is co-authored by Amisha Patel, Head of Public Affairs and Policy, Mainstream Renewable Power, and Joyce Lee, Head of Policy and Projects, Global Wind Energy Council.

The past week saw ministers of economy, environment and climate from all over the world join stakeholders and industry at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) to discuss the necessary measures to deliver an accelerated energy transition. In the current geopolitical climate, this conversation has become central to energy and national security.

This year’s BETD focused on what actions governments are taking to curb dependence on fossil fuels and protect the public, particularly in Europe and in vulnerable economies around the world. As Dr Linda Davies said in the context of the global impacts of superpower nations in conflict: “When elephants fight, it is the grass that get trampled.”

Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, representing the new coalition government, gave an honest account of the “lip service” which the country had paid to the energy transition over the last 15 years. Her speech marked a volte-face for Germany’s energy transition, noting that it is critical to achieve full independence from Russian fossil fuels, and speed up planning procedures and deployment of wind and renewables projects. A major upgrade to the Renewable Energy Law in Germany is expected to follow next week, outlining new mechanisms to simplify permitting, incentivise investment in renewables and raise onshore/offshore wind targets through 2045.

Germany’s Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze emphasised that the world needs to develop a broader understanding of security, and invest preventively with climate action and environmental protection at the centre of security.

“Cooperation” and “Partnership” were the most used words at the event – highlighting the role of influential government bodies like the European Commission, G7 and G20 to work together, before the window for a 1.5°C pathway closes in this decade. Deputy Minister of Energy of Ukraine Yaroslav Demchenkov noted on the urgency to phase out fossil fuels after the Russian invasion, "This is real war. This is real death. This is real life. We need real action."

The major shift in the narrative was recognition that action to deploy renewables at scale and at speed was a priority of highest order, in order to protect national economies and the most vulnerable in society.

Attending #BETD22 was a first for us both and we don’t think it could have come at a better time. The major shift in the narrative was recognition that action to deploy renewables at scale and at speed was a priority of highest order, in order to protect national economies and the most vulnerable in society. The discourse of the event increasingly linked renewable energy to peace and prosperity.

We’ve put together this summary to draw out 8 key takeaways and soundbites from the discussions at BETD this year:

1. We are in a multidimensional global emergency combining a humanitarian crisis, an energy crisis and a climate crisis. The measures taken to respond to one crisis should not worsen another.
2. This moment is a wake-up call to policymakers. A centralised system based on fossil fuels is failing to provide for a resilient energy system and creating vast adverse ripple effects across national economies. Moving away from fossil fuels will require strengthened resolve and international cooperation on the transition.
3. While the discussion is heated in Europe, this is a global emergency. Greenhouse gas emissions are rising again, and they don’t have a passport. The actions taken to invest in new fossil fuels infrastructure and stockpile coal and gas in Asia, Latin America, Africa, Australia and elsewhere, in response to the current crisis, will impact the whole world.
4. Industrialised countries must lead on action and help protect the most vulnerable countries and societies to the impacts of climate change. Governments and industry need to consistently make decisions under a “Do No Significant Harm” principle, at home and abroad. Keynotes from young activists on the frontlines of climate action in Ecuador and Uganda made is clear that under SDG7, everyone deserves “reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.”
5. Real actions and legislative reforms are needed to supercharge renewables, such as creating more efficient planning schemes and speeding up construction, so we can avoid leaving wind and solar projects to languish for years in development. Coastal energies like offshore wind will be a key contributor to decarbonisation and energy independence, but require governments to create enabling frameworks and targets. The window to maintain a 1.5°C pathway is closing and if we further delay action or take harmful measures, even 2°C becomes a challenge.
6. While gas dominated the conversation on-stage, coal was a primary focus of discussions on the sidelines. Coal investment, increase of coal imports/exports and restarting of mothballed plants are all back on the table in Europe, China and among major production countries like Indonesia and Australia. We will need strong, committed leadership to accelerate renewables and avoid locking in new infrastructure and investments in coal.
7. Governments and industry must work together on the evolving areas of the transition to safeguard energy security and social welfare. These include: reskilling workers displaced from carbon-intensive industries; securing and diversifying the supply of critical minerals needed for wind and solar energy; and linking climate, energy and industrial policy to increase competitiveness and restore a balance of power between nations.
8. Advancing the leadership of women in the energy sector is not a “nice to have,” but crucial to ensuring that the future energy systems address the needs of modern societies.

As the Global Wind Energy Council ramps up its work and campaigning for COP27 in November in Egypt, it was encouraging to see international policymakers agree on the urgency and unfinished business of the energy transition. COP26 may have set the ambitions. But with emissions rising to an all-time high in 2021, largely driven by coal generation, now is the time for accelerated action!

Photo credit: Photothek