ALBERT

Description: In this paper, the authors discuss the role of China in the emerging geopolitics of hydrogen. It begins with a review of China's external energy policy and its evolution over the past decades, highlighting China's transition to a net-energy importer as an important inflection point in that process. It then goes on to describe the main pillars of China's national hydrogen policy. Building on this the paper provides and overview of China's external hydrogen policy and how this aligns with both its broader energy foreign policy and its hydrogen policy objectives. The paper finds that China’s hydrogen strategy – both internal and external – are still at an emergent stage. National targets remain modest, and policy remains ambiguous regarding the preferred production pathway. China’s long-term vision clearly emphasizes the role of renewable hydrogen to help balance an energy system dominated by wind and solar energy. However, current policy provides ample space for the promotion of other forms of hydrogen production. Rather, than a strong, centralized policy approach, local and provincial governments along with SOEs have been driving investment and policy experimentation in the sector, which includes efforts to boost fossil-based hydrogen production.

Description: This chapter reviews Japan’s hydrogen strategy with a particular focus on its international elements. It begins by outlining Japan’s international commitment to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions. The chapter then reviews Japan's domestic policy settings designed to support the deployment of hydrogen in power generation, transport, and industrial uses. The chapter then reviews the strategy that the government is using to enable the development of international supply chains to enable the required imports to satisfy projected hydrogen use in the country. It outlines bilateral technology partnerships and international activities within multilateral forums. It concludes with a short discussion of the geopolitical implications of Japan's hydrogen strategy. Japan has been at the forefront of global efforts to increase the role of hydrogen and ammonia as an option for supporting decarbonization. Japan’s government is positioning hydrogen to play a large role in its overall decarbonisation strategy in support of its mid-century, net zero emissions reduction goal. In this context, the Japanese government is supporting the development of technologies on both the supply and demand side, informed by its understanding of feasible decarbonization pathways domestically and the industrial policy opportunities it has identified to promote Japan's technological leadership. Key features of Japan’s strategy are the central focus on the need to import hydrogen and ammonia and the emphasis domestically on the use of hydrogen and ammonia co-combustion in existing thermal power generation as a transition technology, which is not emphasised in other countries’ national hydrogen strategies. In addition, the Japanese government is championing hydrogen and ammonia internationally through forums such as AZEC, which includes proposing ammonia as a technology option for reducing emissions from the power sector in the Asia-Pacific. A key near-term focus on the supply-side is testing the feasibility of different technology options for hydrogen transport, based on the strong emphasis on hydrogen and ammonia imports within Japan’s hydrogen strategy. Coupled with the potential for exporting technologies for hydrogen use, this suggests that new patterns of trade and investment may emerge, although there remain crucial questions about commercial feasibility in addition to technical challenges. Indeed, Japan’s hydrogen strategy is predicated on the ability to build international supply chains at scale. These are currently being enabled by public investment in early-stage projects. These testing different technology options to enable the export of hydrogen to Japan to support domestic decarbonization. Another challenge lies in unlocking hydrogen demand given that processes using hydrogen and ammonia remain more expensive than alternatives in most cases. A case in point is FCVs, in which consumer demand remains far lower than envisioned. In response, the Japanese government is developing a series of policies to reduce the gap between hydrogen and ammonia and best available technologies. The revised 2023 NHS also signalled a shift towards emphasising Japan’s technology leadership in fuel cells and taking a more neutral approach towards end-use sectors. We can expect Japan’s national hydrogen strategy to continue to develop in response to the effectiveness of policies implemented domestically and internationally to increase the demand for, and supply of hydrogen and associated vectors.

Description: Technologies for Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) and Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) only represent climate solutions in as much as they go hand in hand with deep emissions reductions. The (future) availability of CCUS and CDR technologies does not mean we can delay or avoid phasing out fossil fuels if we are to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C or even 2°C. Likewise, the expansion of renewable energy technologies will be nowhere near adequate for meeting agreed-upon climate targets unless fossil fuels are simultaneously ramped down. Up until now, renewables have been largely in addition to, rather than substituting for fossil fuels. Achieving our climate and broader sustainable development goals will require transformations that go beyond energy systems and reevaluate the structures and institutions behind our patterns of consumption, mobility, and food production, among others.

Description: Technologien für CO₂-Abscheidung und -Speicherung machen Hoffnung, werden aber gleichzeitig als Rechtfertigung für die geringe Reduktion von Emissionen aus fossilen Energiequellen genutzt. Das ist nicht vereinbar mit dem Ziel, die Erderwärmung auf 1,5 oder 2 °C zu begrenzen.

Description: L’alimentation est à la fois un levier central pour engager la transition socio-écologique et un theme quotidien tangible pour chaque citoyen.ne. En Allemagne comme en France, quelques collectivités territoriales engagent des mesures innovantes pour promouvoir une alimentation locale et durable. Le Forum pour l’avenir franco-allemand s’est penché sur les expériences de certaines de ces collectivités et a facilité le dialogue entre elles durant plusieurs mois afin de comprendre quelles politiques nationales peuvent soutenir de telles initiatives locales. En associant des expert.e.s issus de la sphère scientifique, de l’administration et de la société civile, il a recommandé de « Donner la priorité au développement de systèmes alimentaires locaux et durables » avec cinq propositions d’action concrètes aux gouvernements français et allemand. Cette étude présente les initiatives françaises et allemandes ayant nourri les propositions d’action du Forum pour l’avenir.

Description: Food and food policy is central to social-ecological transformation. It is also an everyday issue that is easy to communicate to citizens. Municipalities in Germany and France have recognized the potential of innovative local food policies and have developed and tested innovative approaches to transforming local food systems. However, they are encountering structural barriers that cannot be overcome at the municipal level. The Franco-German Forum for the Future has researched the opportunities and obstacles of local nutritional change and brought engaged municipalities from both countries into exchange with each other. Together with experts from academia, public administrations and civil society, it has developed the seven recommendations for the national governments, one of which concerns "Prioritizing the development of local and sustainable food systems" with five proposals for action. This study is intended as a background paper to the Recommendation. With recourse to the concrete example of Mouans-Sartoux and other municipalities in France and Germany, it describes the potentials of a sustainable municipal food policy and provides – from concrete local practice – the background knowledge for each of the five proposals for action.

Description: Europe's growing interest in securing green hydrogen from North Africa is part of a strategic effort to enhance its energy security. The promise of green hydrogen projects in Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania is substantial, offering economic growth and job opportunities. However, numerous factors limit these countries’ ability to develop robust local green hydrogen sectors, while political disputes—particularly around Western Sahara—complicate regional collaboration. European actors can play an important role in advancing green hydrogen’s development in the region, but must tread carefully to secure local buy-in and avoid exacerbating tensions within or between these countries.

Description: À la suite de la fermeture de ses mines dans les années 1980, Loos-en-Gohelle, ancien haut lieu minier du nord de la France, est devenu un modèle de commune écologique. L’action culturelle et son importance singulière dans la transformation dite « du noir au vert » demeurent encore peu connues. À l’échelle du Bassin minier des Hauts-de-France, la sortie du charbon a été accompagnée par une politique d’équipement et d’investissement culturel visant à faire évoluer l’image extérieure de ce territoire. Cette étude met en évidence la singularité de l’approche loossoise, dont l’ambition est d’abord d’impliquer ses propres habitant.e.s à la transition écologique et sociale du territoire. Ce travail culturel participatif est ainsi devenu un outil d’émancipation. Toutefois, au cours des dernières années, les possibilités de mobilisation de la population semblent être à un tournant. Loos-en-Gohelle fait face au défi de construire de nouvelles formes de participation culturelle afin d’éviter l’essoufflement de son dynamisme.

Description: Following the end of coal production in 1986, the small town of Loos-en-Gohelle in northern France transformed itself from a former mining stronghold into a model municipality for sustainability. This article highlights the importance of cultural policy measures in this structural change: while in other municipalities in the northern French coalfield, cultural policy was used to change the image of the region, Loos-en-Gohelle aimed to involve the local population in the socio-ecological transformation process. Participatory cultural work thus became an instrument of emancipation. However, the possibilities for mobilising the population appear to have reached a turning point in recent years. Loos-en-Gohelle is faced with the challenge of developing new forms of cultural participation in order to prevent the momentum from slowing down.

Description: Städte stehen vor der Herausforderung, ihr Verwaltungshandeln auf komplexe sozial-ökologische Transformationsprozesse auszurichten. Die Landeshauptstadt München hat mit dem Modell der Handlungsräume einen Ansatz entwickelt, um dieser Herausforderung zu begegnen. Durch eine strategische Priorisierung von Teilgebieten, und agilen, fachübergreifenden Kooperationsstrukturen ermöglicht der Handlungsraumansatz eine konstruktive Moderation von komplexen Interessenslagen, die Akquise von innovativen Entwicklungs- und Forschungsprojekten und schafft Synergieeffekte zwischen Verwaltung und Zivilgesellschaft. Die vorliegende Analyse untersucht die Potenziale des Ansatzes und legt Empfehlungen zu seiner Weiterentwicklung in München vor. Gleichzeitig bietet die Analyse empirische Evidenz zu Debatten über die Rolle von strategischen Planungsräumen und ‚soft spaces‘ in der nachhaltigen Stadtentwicklung.

Description: Cities are faced with the challenge of aligning their administrative actions with complex socio-ecological transformation processes. The City of Munich has developed an approach to meet this challenge with strategic action spaces or opportunity areas (Handlungsraumansatz). Through a strategic prioritisation of geographic areas in the city and agile, interdisciplinary cooperation structures, the action space approach enables a constructive moderation of complex interests, the acquisition of innovative development and research projects and creates synergy effects between administration and civil society. The present analysis examines the potentials of the approach and presents recommendations for its further development in Munich. At the same time, the analysis provides empirical evidence for debates on the role of strategic planning spaces and 'soft spaces' in sustainable urban development.

Description: Welche Rolle spielen Akteure in Energiewende-Konflikten? Inwiefern müssen spezifische Akteurskonstellationen beachtet werden, um Konfliktlösungsstrategien zu finden? Welche Einstellungen, Interessenlagen und Gerechtigkeitsvorstellungen bei Stakeholdern und in der Bevölkerung spielen hierbei eine zu berücksichtigende Rolle. Die Studienergebnisse einer im Rahmen des DEMOKON-Forschungsprojektes durchgeführten deutschlandweiten vergleichenden Fallanalyse weisen darauf hin, dass Konfliktfälle in der Energiewende trotz vordergründiger Parallelen höchst unterschiedlich gelagert sind und die Präferenzen von Akteuren in jedem Einzelfall berücksichtigt und abgewogen werden müssen. Es hat sich gezeigt: Sowohl die Anerkennungs-, Prozess- als auch Verteilungsgerechtigkeit sind hierbei außerordentlich bedeutsam. Vertreter:innen betroffener Kommunen sollten aktiv mit Konflikten umgehen und Strategien entwickeln; eine passive Rolle ist nicht erfolgversprechend. Grundsätzlich gilt: Je mehr Beteiligung gewährt wird und Akteure sich in den Entscheidungsfindungsprozess einbringen können, desto besser ist es. Dies ist in vielen Anwendungsfällen der Energiewende jedoch schwer möglich, polarisierte Pro- und Contra-Lager sind eher die Regel als die Ausnahme. Wichtig ist daher die vermittelnde Rolle von neutralen Akteuren, die in polarisierten Konfliktfällen mediativ wirken können. Lokale Charakteristika sollten in den Diskursen angemessen widergespiegelt sein (z.B. ein von Windkraft betroffener Wald). Lokale Identitäten fußen häufig auf Ortsverbundenheiten und Heimatgefühle, auf deren Verletzung lokale Gemeinschaften empfindlich reagieren. Entsprechend sind (hoch)sensible Umgangsweisen mit den betroffenen Standorten und Schutzgütern erforderlich. Sie sollten bestenfalls neben Einbezug und Gehör sowie finanzieller Beteiligung (Bürgerenergie) auch Kompensation und andere Benefits für die Allgemeinheit bieten (z.B. Investitionen in öffentliche Einrichtungen und Infrastrukturen, lokale Stromtarife, Vergünstigungen), um möglichen Beeinträchtigungen, Benachteiligungen und Ungleichheiten entgegenzuwirken.

Description: What role do various actors play within conflicts relating to the energy transition? To what extent do specific constellations of actors need to be considered in order to identify adequate conflict resolution strategies? Which views, interests and notions of justice held by stakeholders and the wider public need to be taken into account? The findings of a nationwide comparative case analysis conducted as part of the DEMOKON research project indicate that, while some superficial similarities exist, the spectrum of conflicts relating to the German energy transition is highly diverse and actors’ preferences should be considered and carefully weighed in each individual case. This research shows that recognition, procedural, and distributive justice all play an important role here. Representatives of affected communities must actively engage with conflicts and develop strategies as passivity is unlikely to deliver positive outcomes. The more opportunities for participation that are available and the more that stakeholders are able to engage with the decision-making processes, the better the outcome. However, this is not easily achieved in many cases; the polarization of supporters and opponents is the rule rather than the exception. Neutral actors with the ability to mediate in polarized conflicts are an important asset. Local characteristics should be carefully considered in discourse (e.g., a forest affected by a wind power project). Local identities are often based on a sense of place and a sense of home. Local communities can respond sensitively when these values are disregarded. Highly sensitive approaches are needed to address conflicts arising in connection with affected sites and prized assets. At best, these should provide compensation and other benefits to the community (e.g. investment in public facilities and infrastructure, local electricity tariffs, concessions) along with opportunities for participation and consultation as well as financial participation (community energy / ownership) in order to mitigate possible adverse effects, disadvantages, and inequalities.

Description: Die geplante Verordnung der Europäischen Union (EU) über forstwirtschaftliche Risikowaren verlangt von Unternehmen, die in den oder aus dem EU-Markt verkaufen, die Bereitstellung von Geolokalisierungsdaten der Produktionsgebiete. Zur Umsetzung der obligatorischen Sorgfaltspflicht schreiben die Regulierungsbehörden die Nutzung von EU-Datenerfassungs- und Analyseinstrumenten wie dem Raumfahrtprogramm der Union (EGNOS/Galileo und Copernicus) und der EU-Beobachtungsstelle vor. Darüber hinaus empfiehlt der Gesetzentwurf, auf bestehenden öffentlich oder privat verfügbaren Datenquellen und Überwachungsinitiativen aufzubauen. In dieser Arbeit werden digitale Transparenzinitiativen in Brasilien untersucht, um den Beitrag der digitalen Technologien zur Rückverfolgung der sozio-ökologischen Herkunft von Produkten zu verstehen. Als Rohstoffproduzent und Heimat des größten Regenwaldes der Welt bietet der brasilianische Fall Lehren für die Umsetzung der EU-Abholzungsverordnung und bietet gleichzeitig die Möglichkeit, über das Potenzial des Technologie- und Wissenstransfers aus dem globalen Süden nachzudenken. Darüber hinaus können staatliche und nichtstaatliche Akteure durch die Nutzung vorhandener Datensätze und digitaler Artefakte wie in Brasilien digitale Innovationen fördern, den Wert für die Gesellschaft steigern und Wege für eine verstärkte transnationale Zusammenarbeit eröffnen. Die Fallstudie zeigt, dass es mehrere hochwertige offene Datenquellen und digitale Plattformen gibt. Das Haupthindernis für die Umgestaltung des brasilianischen agroindustriellen Komplexes liegt eher in der Verwirklichung institutioneller als technologischer Innovationen. Insbesondere müssen die brasilianische Regierung und die Agrarindustrie von rückwärtsgewandten Narrativen und Handlungen Abstand nehmen, einschließlich des Datenmissbrauchs und der Instrumentalisierung von Maßnahmen im Zusammenhang mit digitalen Technologien, die mit der aktuellen globalen Klimakrise unvereinbar sind. Während Unternehmen, Behörden und die Zivilgesellschaft sich darauf verlassen können sollten, dass die brasilianischen digitalen Initiativen die Einhaltung der Abholzungsvorschriften überprüfen, muss die EU einen kooperativeren Ansatz verfolgen, um Brasilien bei der Bewältigung seiner dringenden politisch-institutionellen Herausforderungen zu unterstützen.

Description: The upcoming European Union (EU) forest-risk commodities regulation requires companies selling to or from the EU market to provide the geolocation data of production areas. To implement the mandatory due diligence requirements, regulators prescribe using EU data collection and analysis tools such as the Union’s Space programme (EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus) and the EU Observatory. Furthermore, the draft law recommends building on existing publicly or privately available data sources and monitoring initiatives. This paper examines digital transparency initiatives in Brazil to understand digital technologies’ contribution to tracing products’ socio-environmental origin. As a commodity powerhouse and home to the world’s largest rainforest, the Brazilian case offers lessons for implementing the EU Deforestation Regulation while presenting a chance to reflect on the potential of technology and knowledge transfer from the Global South. Moreover, by building on existing datasets and digital artifacts as those in Brazil, state and non-state actors may foster digital innovation, increase value to society, and open paths for enhanced transnational collaboration. The case study shows several high-quality open data sources and digital platforms exist. The major obstacle to transforming the Brazilian agro-industrial complex lies in realising institutional rather than technological innovations. Specifically, the Brazilian government and agribusiness must abandon retrograde narratives and actions, including data misuse and the instrumentalization of policies related to digital technologies, which are incompatible with the current global climate crisis. While operators, authorities, and civil society should rely on Brazilian digital initiatives to conduct non-deforestation compliance checks, the EU must adopt a more collaborative approach to help Brazil address its pressing political-institutional challenges.