Press | Friday, 10 July 2015
Franco-German statement on the energy transition
National academies recommend collaborative policies and identify areas for a closer cooperation
In preparation of the 21st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP21), the French and German national academies of science and technology have published a joint statement advocating a stronger partnership between the two countries. This statement points out the fundamental challenges raised for the future - e.g., meeting the world energy demand, restraining energy consumption in developed countries and reducing global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). While France and Germany have taken different courses in handling their electrical energy generation system (which only represents about 25% of their energy consumption), they also have many common issues. The two countries can share knowledge and learn from each other’s successes and difficulties, they can anticipate challenges ahead and identify areas for a closer scientific and technological cooperation. The four academies thus propose several cross-cutting subjects - e.g., energy efficiency, energy grids, mobility, nuclear technologies, renewable energy and energy storage, social and economic aspects - which could benefit from of a closer scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries. They also emphasise the need for a better perception of energy issues and their implications in society at large. Finally, the academies claim for a systemic approach for EU-wide energy policies.
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