Context
The transition to a sustainable energy supply based on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources is an important theme in development and climate policy worldwide. With the Paris Climate Agreement and the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, the international community recognised – if it had not done so already – the pressing need for a fundamental change in energy policy. In this context, the German energy transition is attracting a great deal of attention throughout the world. The discussions, however, are frequently marked by scepticism with regard to costs, feasibility and practical implementation.
Together with its missions abroad, the German Federal Foreign Office wants to respond to this interest and by sharing knowledge to promote a global energy transition, to enhance global understanding of Germany’s approach and to strengthen Germany’s image as a centre for technology and innovation. A positive international reception can impact positively on the success of the energy transition in Germany.
Objectives
The overall objective is to present and communicate the energy policy objectives of the German Government abroad, focusing on the support for sustainable development in partner countries. The project aims to achieve an effective transfer of know-how to our partner countries through technical advisory services and the presentation of a travelling exhibition that incorporates development and energy policy themes. The project also plans to produce supporting documents and materials (including a website) and to conduct a study on the future of mobility in the context of the energy transition.
Approach
Six versions of the interactive travelling exhibition are being put together for members of the general public worldwide who are interested in energy policy issues: two in English, one in Spanish, one in Chinese, one in Arabic and one in German. They can be ordered from German representations abroad for use throughout the world. GIZ developed the thematic content of the exhibition in cooperation with other service providers. It is advising the Federal Foreign Office on the effective implementation of the exhibition in line with the general foreign and development policy framework, and it is coordinating the on-site presentation to ensure impact. A study on the contribution of the transport sector to global shifts in transport policy is being conducted in order to broaden content-related support for project activities. Employing strategic projection methods, scenarios are being developed to show how the sector will develop by mid-century as a basis for formulating foreign-policy recommendations for action.
Knowledge of and opinions held about the German energy transition in the public sphere will be expanded and corrected worldwide. Common misunderstandings about the economic costs of energy transition, the political motives and the impact on energy supply security will be dispelled. Germany’s image as a responsible international player and a centre for technology and innovation will be consolidated. The realisation that we need global change in moving towards a sustainable energy supply will be anchored among the public, who at the same time will gain awareness of the opportunities for cooperation in this area.
Results
The travelling exhibition has already been shown at more than 100 locations in more than 40 countries and has been seen by many tens of thousands of people. Exhibition locations to date include the Palace of Culture in Warsaw, the foyer of the UN Headquarters in New York and the Palace of Nations in Geneva. The opening ceremonies were attended by prominent personalities, including representatives of the German Government and the host countries. With the travelling exhibition, GIZ is supplementing the PR work of the Federal Foreign Office on the 2030 Agenda and effectively linking sustainability topics with other fields of foreign policy.
One component of the exhibition is a visitor questionnaire. More than 70% of visitors stated that the exhibition enabled them to acquire new knowledge, and a further 15% said this was true in part. As to whether the German energy transition served a useful purpose, around three-quarters of the visitors said ‘yes’ and a further 15% ‘partly’. The question whether visitors thought an energy transition also made sense in their own countries generated a similar pattern of responses. Although the results of the survey are not wholly representative, it is evident that a transfer of knowledge is taking place. The exhibition was mentioned frequently in the press.