First GJETC Study Results Presented in Tokyo

In December 2016, a comprehensive study program of the GJETC on four study topics had been handed out to external consortia in Germany and Japan. Their task was to draw conclusions from a comparative analysis of key energy policy and economic issues in both countries. These serve as a basis for the GJETC to develop recommendations and proposals for solutions. The focus areas were (1) climate and resource-conserving long-term strategies (until 2050), (2) the overall economic and social preconditions of an energy transition, (3) electricity market design, and (4) the promotion of energy saving strategies. All studies have now been finished and analysed. The study (1) “Energy transition as a central building block of a future industrial policy”, for example, is a meta-analysis of energy transition scenarios covering the wide range of strategic options for both Japan and Germany. The scientists draw the conclusion that both countries need considerable changes compared to their recent energy system developments if they want to achieve their energy transition targets by 2030.

Prof Masakazu Toyoda, the Japanese co-chair of the GJETC, summarised the results presented: “The preliminary study results show that Japan and Germany have the possibility to substantially reduce  GHG emissions until 2050 through different approaches due to  the different national conditions. During our meeting in Tokyo, we are discussing the results with a critical and constructive attitude in order to prepare our joint overall report.” Until the next meeting of the GJETC in Berlin in February 2018, the members of the council will prepare their policy recommendations to the governments and the public of both countries based on the study results. The final reports of the study program will be published on the GJETC website.

The public event, organized by the GJETC on 6 September, is primarily addressing energy experts, administration staff, NGOs, and media representatives. During the event, visitors will have the possibility to address their questions to the co-chairs as well as experts of the GJETC directly and debate about the interim results. “With the event following the official council meeting, we want to reach all stakeholders and present the first results of the GJETC study program to a broader audience. If we want to accomplish an energy transition, it has to be supported by society as a whole,” said Prof Dr Peter Hennicke, German co-chair of the GJETC.