The Current Column

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Every Monday, researchers from the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) comment on the latest issues and trends of global sustainable development by its ‘Current Column’. The column is aimed at politically interested readers who would like to get a brief assessment of a topic or want to read different positions on a respective topic. The views expressed in these columns are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).

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16 results Displaying results 1 to 16 of 16.

If you like the world, save it!

Mathis, Okka Lou / Matthias Ruchser (2015)
The Current Column, 21. September 2015

21 September 2015. This year the focus is on heads of state and government to save the world. Following the G7 summit in Elmau and the United Nations (UN) conference on Development Financing in Addis Ababa, this coming weekend sees the passing of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in New York, with December 2015 set to see the negotiation of a new climate agreement in Paris. And what about us?

Energy - the seventh Sustainable Development Goal

Ruchser, Matthias (2015)
The Current Column, 09. March 2015

The seventh Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) focuses on energy. But just what is affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy? The proposed SDG provides no answers or definitions in this regard. And what does Germany need to do to achieve SDG 7? Is the German ‘Energiewende’ enough?

Where is the energy transition headed in 2015?

Ruchser, Matthias (2015)
The Current Column, 23. January 2015

What’s at stake for the ‘Energiewende’ in 2015? And for how long will the downward trend of crude-oil prices continue?

Russia and the German Energiewende – Is there a connection?

Ruchser, Matthias (2014)
The Current Column, 28. March 2014

The West has imposed sanctions on the Russian banking sector as well as on Russian and Ukrainian individuals with close contacts to the Putin regime. It remains to be seen to what extent the Europeans are willing to also impose economic sanctions on Russia.

Energy subsidies: more honesty, please

Ruchser, Matthias (2013)
The Current Column, 23. October 2013

Can the 2 °Celsius target still be achieved? It all depends on the energy industry

Ruchser, Matthias (2013)
The Current Column, 01. July 2013

The Energiewende – or: how not to do it

Ruchser, Matthias (2012)
The Current Column, 03. September 2012

Power from the desert: what progress have Desertec and the Mediterranean Solar Plan made?

Ruchser, Matthias (2012)
The Current Column, 09. July 2012

International year of sustainable energy for all: who pays the bill?

Ruchser, Matthias / Rebekka Hilz (2012)
The Current Column, 13. February 2012

The global economy is to become greener and fairer with a green economy. Yet the approach is controversial, not least because many developing countries are afraid that an ecological transformation of the economy will mask protectionist restrictions of international trade.