Stefan Aykut: Ways out of the climate crisis – Comparing the “Energiewende” and the “transition énergétique”

With the Paris Agreement in 2015, the international community agreed to limit global warming to “under 2°C” – if possible under 1.5°C – in comparison to pre-industrial figures. To reach this goal, global CO2 emissions must be drastically reduced over the next few decades. Exactly how this will be done is for those involved in the agreement to decide.

Germany and France have chosen different routes: in Germany, the “Energiewende” (energy revolution) promises a comprehensive transformation of the energy system. While France is striving for a “transition énergétique”, where nuclear power will play a greater role, due to the comparatively low emissions per capita, and aims at the “decarbonization” and the diversification of the energy sector. Despite these differences, both face similar issues and challenges: what room for maneuver do national politics have in an increasingly harmonious European context? How can we ensure that energy remains affordable, so that the transformation of our energy systems doesn’t lead to inequality? And how will politics answer the protests that will inevitably accompany these profound changes?

This lecture will be held in German.

At the invitation of Prof. Dr. Patrick Bernhagen, Institute of Literary Studies

This event is sponsored by the Robert Bosch Foundation, with funds from the DVA Foundation.

To visit the event webpage please go to