Research Group Energy, Transport and Climate Policy (Research Group 2) focuses on sustainable policy strategies and instruments for effective and increasingly integrated energy, transport and climate policies at the local, regional, national and international level. The aim is to make greater use of the synergy effects of policy strategies that support the sustainable development of energy and transport systems as well as climate protection in general. Policy instruments in the field of energy end-use efficiency are a particular focus area.
Within the broader research field of energy, transport and climate policy, the RG 2 is working on four main research themes, as shown in the graph "Research structure" to the right.
A major concern of our projects are the implementation-oriented research and scientific policy consulting on the basis of our research results. Priority is given to fields of research in which the integration of energy, transport and climate policy is particularly important to achieve sustainability goals.
Central research questions addressed by the four core research themes are: - How can market barriers to energy efficiency in buildings, industry and appliances be overcome by political regulation and energy services?
Linking to our other research themes is established in particular regarding the analysis and evaluation of instruments. See Topic Online "Energy Efficiency" - Which political framework settings and mobility services are necessary and appropriate to enable sustainable mobility?
These analyses are also connected to energy efficiency and climate protection strategies. See Topic Online "Sustainable Transport Policy and Mobility Services" - Which are the concrete options in a multilevel governance system for acting on the local and regional level in order to achieve superior or own climate protection targets by 2020 and 2050?
In this context, we also work to integrate further sustainability strategies (material and space efficiency, adaptation to climate change, social and economic development etc.). See Topic Online "Local Climate Protection" - How can an international climate regime, which is effective and fair, be shaped?
Our approach integrates energy and transport issues, climate protection and climate adaptation in multilevel governance as well as ecologic and economic dimensions and social equity. See Topic Online "International Climate Policy"
The research group examines conditions and causes of successful transformation processes in an increasingly integrated energy, transport and climate policy, in order to provide a scientific foundation for effective policy strategies. These conditions and causes will be analysed within a cyclical understanding of transformation (see the following fig.), thus contributing to the development of an understanding of societal decision-making, participation and learning processes. On the basis of the analysis of structures, institutions and constellations of actors and the evaluation of potentials, we develop and analyse designs for individual concepts, policy packages and measures as well as services within the respective governance system and integrate them into overall concepts, where required. Pilot testing of concepts is scientifically supported, evaluated and analysed to learn for the diffusion of successful policies and measures.
Research on successful transformation processes in energy, transport and climate policy
The following guidelines for concrete research topics and methodology emerge from the core research themes: - We examine policies and measures, taking into consideration political, economic and social framework conditions, ranging from the classical regulatory instruments to financial incentive and soft policies.
- We study a field of actors that extends from traditional political and administrative actors to international organisations/regimes, businesses, NGOs and individuals, to the public and the media.
- Transformation processes occur at different levels, so we analyse all levels of government - from municipalities to the United Nations - and their interactions during different phases of the policy cycle.
- We combine scientific analysis of possible strategies and instruments with the search for those suitable for practical application.
The following methods are used in this endeavour: - Analytical tools from the political and social sciences, from planning and economics as well as quantitative and qualitative empirical studies;
- Design of and scientific support for pilot and model projects for the development, testing and evaluation of innovative solutions, and for approaches to disseminating the positive experiences and avoiding the negative ones gained in the process.
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