Comparing energy transitions in Germany and Spain using a political economy perspective

Haas, Tobias

doi:10.1016/j.eist.2018.11.004

Cited by 41 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…These conflicts comprise, for example, resistance against the further extraction of fossil energy carriers (e.g., mining, fracking) and the respective fossil infrastructure development (Özkaynak et al 2012;Veltmeyer and Bowles 2014;Riffo 2017). From an integrated socio-metabolic and political-economic perspective, recent struggles for the 'municipalization' of energy supply-and especially of renewable energy development-may be examples for transformative entry points (Kunze and Becker 2015;Moss et al 2015;Haas 2019). In (re)municipalization, the techno-material expansion of renewable energy can be simultaneously directed against private control of energy supply and towards public municipal control over energy utilities.…”

Section: Challenges and Opportunities For The Transformation Of Provisioning Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

et al. 2021

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Energy, food, or mobility can be conceptualized as provisioning systems which are decisive to sustainability transformations in how they shape resource use and because of emissions resulting from them. To curb environmental pressures and improve societal well-being, fundamental changes to existing provisioning systems are necessary. In this article, we propose that provisioning systems be conceptualized as featuring integrated socio-metabolic and political-economic dimensions. In socio-metabolic terms, material stocks—buildings, infrastructures, and machines, for example—are key components of provisioning systems and transform flows of energy and materials into goods and services. In political-economic terms, provisioning systems are formed by actors, institutions, and capital. We loosely identify and closely analyze, from socio-metabolic and political-economic perspectives, five phases along which provisioning systems are shaped and in which specific opportunities for interventions exist. Relying mainly on examples from the fossil-fueled electricity system, we argue that an integrated conceptualization of provisioning systems can advance understanding of these systems in two essential ways: by (1) facilitating a more encompassing perspective on current forms of provisioning as relying on capitalist regulation and on material stocks and flows and by (2) embedding provisioning systems within their historical context, making it possible to conceive of more sustainable and just forms of provisioning under (radically) altered conditions.

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Section: Challenges and Opportunities For The Transformation Of Provisioning Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

et al. 2021

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“…Subsequently, with each amendment of the EEG, the German parliament extended the Special Compensation Scheme. The main financial burden was passed to private consumers, while the state's policies ensured that the Energiewende did not threaten the electricity-intensive branches of German capitalism, which are essential for capital accumulation in Germany (Haas 2019). At the same time, the EEG was an instrument to renew Germany's accumulation strategy, as German companies assumed a leading position during the 2000s, especially in wind and solar technologies.…”

Section: The German Energiewende and The State's Ambivalent Rolementioning

confidence: 99%

“…With this shift, the development of renewable energy support (RES) policies was overseen by a sympathetic ministry, and the social conflicts over energy politics were largely mirrored in the new composition of the state. While the BMWi maintained its strategic selectivity towards actors of the traditional energy regime, the BMU was open to the social forces pushing the Energiewende (Haas 2019).…”

Section: The German Energiewende and The State's Ambivalent Rolementioning

confidence: 99%

From Green Energy to the Green Car State? The Political Economy of Ecological Modernisation in Germany

Haas

2020

New Political Economy

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In recent years, the role of the state in sustainability transitions has received increasing attention. Germany is often perceived as a forerunner in climate and environmental politics. Building on critical theories of the state, this paper explores the role of the German state in two key fields of society-nature relationships: energy (electricity) and transportation. Whereas Germany's energy transition (Energiewende) is widely praised internationally, its mobility transition (Verkehrswende) is a more difficult endeavour, as the German car industry is at the core of the national model of capitalism, specialising in the premium market segment. Against this background, Germany's status as an environmental leader is questioned as there is a strong state-capital nexus, which admittedly leaves space for green politics in case of intense social struggles. If, in addition, technological alternatives are developed embracing the potential to renew the country's 'accumulation strategy', the window of opportunity for green politics widens. In contrast to the Energiewende, which was at least partially accompanied by a decentralisation of power generation and the questioning of existing power relations, there is little indication that the German state will push for a mobility turnaround that goes beyond a limited greening of the automobile.

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“…He determines the determinants of the differentiated development path of the two countries by analyzing the conflicts and power struggles in the energy transition. 16 By analyzing the existing related research, we found that most of the literature research scope for energy transition is flawed. In order to make the analysis of the energy transition more logical, we adopt a fourdimensional analysis framework-Institution-Economy-Technology-Behavior (IETB)-by combining the research results of Bolwig et al 17 and Pingkuo et al 13 This framework can comprehensively analyze each country's energy transition pathways dependence, and further lock the sustainable energy transition pathways.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review and comparative analysis on energy transition in major industrialized countries

et al. 2020

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Summary Due to the gradual depletion of fossil energy and the climate change, many industrialized countries are pursuing a sustainable energy transition, however they choose different pathways. There are such issues on the process of energy transition as the high renewable energy cost and the increase of carbon emissions. In order to ensure the smooth process of energy transition, governments need to draw energy development experience from each other to jointly promote the global energy transition. At the beginning, the recent situations from both energy economy and policy are described in this article with respect to some typical industrialized countries (the G7 countries and China). And then to make comparative analysis more logical, a novel conceptual model ‐ Institution‐Economy‐Technology‐Behavior framework is adopted. Based on this new model, this article makes a comprehensive analysis and discussion on the energy transition of each country. The common points and the differences of energy transition in different countries are summarized to grasp the driven forces of energy transition. And a series of development proposals from the aspects of system, economy, technology and behavior are made to overcome the obstacles of energy transition, ensure the smooth progress of energy transition, and achieve sustainable development.

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Comparing energy transitions in Germany and Spain using a political economy perspective

Cited by 41 publications

References 21 publications

The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

The transformation of provisioning systems from an integrated perspective of social metabolism and political economy: a conceptual framework

From Green Energy to the Green Car State? The Political Economy of Ecological Modernisation in Germany

A review and comparative analysis on energy transition in major industrialized countries

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