ECF Annual Conference, in conjunction with GSD: Action for Climate – Beyond the Zero Sum Game

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April 9-10, 2010
Barcelona, Spain

The conference has been organised to facilitate an open dialogue on where we stand with regard to the climate issue, on the strengths and weaknesses of current climate research, and on the steps that can lead beyond the present impasse. It is organized by the European Climate Forum (ECF), in conjunction with the European Research Network on Global Systems Dynamics and Policy (GSD) and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. Read more

Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2009 for Klaus Hasselmann

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Klaus Hasselmann, co-founder of the European Climate Forum and Emeritus Director of the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology is awarded the BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Award 2009 in the category of climate change. The recognition comprises 400.000 EUR and is based on his ground-breaking contributions to the scientific and public understanding of climate change by developing methods that established that recent global warming trends are primarily attributable to human activities. Read more

Joint report: From the Financial Crisis to Sustainability

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Press conference
Berlin, October 26, 2009; 11 a.m.

Haus der Bundespressekonferenz
Schiffbauerdamm 40 / corner Reinhardtstraße 55
10117 Berlin

The report “From the Financial Crisis to Sustainability” documents an approach to climate policy based on macro-economic opportunities in GermanyFull employment models of the neoclassical brand suggest that climate policy is faced with a trade-off between future benefits and present costs. However, the situation of Germany after the global financial crisis cannot be grasped by such models, as its situation is characterized by both unemployment and underinvestment. More advanced models can be used to identify opportunities for win-win situations in climate policy. A new report on behalf of the German ministry of the environment spells out these opportunities and describes in detail a strategy to reallize them. Read more

Beyond the Financial Crisis – Globalization at the Crossroads

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An International Conference
Berlin, November 5-6, 2009

 
            
 

This conference is supported by the German Federal Ministry of the Environment and by the Global Systems Dynamics Project, a European research initiative.

Read more… [PDF, 0,2 MB]

Agent-based Modeling for Sustainable Development

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A joint workshop of Global System Dynamics and Policies and the European Climate Forum
Venice, 2-4 April, 2009

The workshop will offer the opportunity to exchange experiences with advanced multiagent modeling techniques and to think together about their application to practical problems, in particular the relation between climate policy and the global financial crisis. Later, to study in depth this question, the Illustration “Financial Crisis and Climate Policy” will bring together four distinguished panelists who will look at the problem from four different perspectives: climate research, economic research, business, and the study of complex systems. Read more

Financial Crisis and Climate Policy – A Science-Policy Debate

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ECF Annual Conference 2009
Venice, April 4, 2009

“Europe must lead the world into a new, or maybe one should say, post-industrial revolution, the development of a low-carbon economy.” This is the perspective offered by EU Commission President José Manuel Barroso when the EU declared its ambitious goals for cutting greenhouse gas emissions, increasing renewable energy use, and improving energy efficiency. In summer 2007, this step enabled the G-8 summit of Heiligendamm to declare the aim to halve global CO2 emissions by 2050, and at the end of the year, it kept the momentum in the global climate policy process at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali. Read more

Expanding Renewable Generating Capacity by 2030

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Round Table Discussion: Technology and Policy Challenges
Brussels, January 08, 2009

The purpose of the Round Table will be to investigate options and necessary steps to integrate the North Sea and Atlantic offshore wind and the Southern European and North African solar thermal into the European power grid. We will consider the role of existing hydroelectric systems and the development of smart-grid technologies for demand balancing. Participants will try to identify the necessary steps to achieve a large-scale integration of renewables – in an order of magnitude of 30% or more of total EU firm generating capacity – by 2030. Read more

Side Events at COP 14

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Germany Side event and SSG Side Event
Poznań, December 11, 2008

Germany Side event at COP 14

Investing in climate protection: Prospects in sustainable growth and development.

  • Investments for a Climate-Friendly Germany – Study commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
    Download [PDF, 2,2 MB]

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Innovation Kaleidoscope for Sustainability

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A joint Seminar of the European Commission-GSD and a demonstration project of Eusko Ikaskuntza on New Social and New Economic Techniques
Bilbao, December 2-4, 2008

Linking North Africa’s Renewable Electricity Potential to Europe – Policy Challenges

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SSG Workshop
Laxenburg, November 24-26, 2008