No climate protection without credible policy
A new MCC study shows how more credibility of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) agreed upon in the Paris Agreement can be achieved.
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Edenhofer gives commentary on Naomi Oreskes in "Tanner Lecture"
After a lecture by the renowned historian of science Naomi Oreskes in Princeton, the MCC Director outlines the importance of assessments for social discourse.
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MCC recognized as leading think tank
The MCC’s growing importance in climate policy and the sustainable use of global commons is highlighted by recognition at the prestigious "Think Tank of the Year Awards".
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German G20 presidency: MCC to head task force on climate policy
The institutes will prepare scientific policy advice before the summit in Hamburg. Carbon pricing will be on the top of the agenda.
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Urban planning as a key to achieving the two-degree-target
A new MCC study in "Nature Climate Change" shows: By building climate-friendly infrastructures in cities urban planners have a large potential for emission reduction.
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“Poor in resolutions, but rich in positive signals”
At the COP 22 in Morocco little was decided, but interest in the MCC was strong: “Negative emissions” and “carbon pricing” were given particular attention among participants and the media.
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Renewable energy as a driver for sustainable development in Africa
MCC scientists show: investments in renewables in Africa pay off in multiple ways - economic development, climate protection and other Sustainable Development Goals benefit.
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Global CO2 emissions growth nearly flat for third successive year
The Global Carbon Project estimates 36.4 Gt CO2 from fossil fuels and industry for 2016—MCC scientist is part of the project and says: This is not aligned with two degrees target.
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Cheap loans for renewables would drive global energy transition
A new MCC study shows that lower capital costs and higher carbon prices would make renewables more competitive on a global scale.
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Environmental tax reform for climate protection and social justice
MCC study shows how a carbon tax can both protect the environment and advance social justice – when accompanied with a lower income tax.
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The societal implications of different climate protection paths
MCC scientists have developed a comprehensive scheme that juxtaposes the risks of various societal goals such as climate protection and food security.
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Growth and climate change mitigation are compatible
The French newspaper "Le Monde" publishes first results of the International Panel on Social Progress (IPSP), including a contribution by MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer.
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Keeping the door open for an effective climate policy
MCC Director Ottmar Edenhofer discussed the question of how international cooperation should proceed after the Paris Agreement.
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Edenhofer advises Volkswagen on sustainability issues
Volkswagen appointed a sustainability council - one of the members is MCC director Ottmar Edenhofer.
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On the GDP chimera and normative blind flights
In an article for the German blog "postwachstum" MCC group leader Matthias Kalkuhl and the certified biologist Jonas Hagedorn propose society indicators beyond GDP.
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The impact of U.S. shale oil revolution and green buildings
New issue of Edenhofer-edited economics journal REEP focuses on a variety of policy-relevant topics.
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World climate reports should focus more on concrete policy
In his new book, MCC Group Leader Martin Kowarsch shows how the IPCC could contribute more to public discourse by exploring policy alternatives in its assessments.
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Edenhofer one of the most important economists in Germany
MCC director Ottmar Edenhofer has climbed up the FAZ`s ranking of economic researchers achieving place twelve.
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G20 should enact carbon pricing
Right before the G20 summit the MCC, together with the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the environment organization Germanwatch, recommends carbon pricing as a driver for the global implementation of the Paris Agreement.
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The challenges of limiting climate change to 1.5°C
Better understanding how to reduce GHG emissions in the short-term is the single most important, but probably toughest challenge for the IPCC Special Report on the 1.5°C climate goal say MCC group leaders Jan Minx and Sabine Fuss in the Huffington Post.
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Das 1.5°C Ziel auf dem wissenschaftlichen Prüfstand
Die Gruppenleiter Sabine Fuss und Jan Minx betonen in der Wirtschaftswoche die Wichtigkeit eines besseren wissenschaftlichen Verständnisses kurzfristiger Klimaschutzmaßnahmen.
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Financing socially sustainable public investment
The French star economist Thomas Piketty has shown that wealth inequality in the developed nations is continually increasing. Public investment in infrastructure or in education and healthcare could reduce inequality.
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MCC researcher nominated for IPCC expert meeting
More than 60 climate experts will meet mid-August to plan a special IPCC report concerning the 1.5°C target.
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MCC Policy brief: Carbon price floor to reform emissions trading
A massive reduction of greenhouse gases can only take place in a properly functioning EU carbon market. A price floor for the traded carbon permits would reduce the current uncertainty of market participants, improve their price expectations, and thereby reestablish the credibility of the market.
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MCC world's third best climate think tank
A second time in row MCC is one of the top scientific think tanks in the field of climate change. In this year´s "Climate Think Tank Ranking" by the International Center for Climate Governance (ICCG) MCC reached the third rank, last year it was the second.
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Study: Land taxation can protect forests
MCC emphasizes synergy effects between forest conservation and economic development through land taxation
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Discussion: What's Next After the Paris Climate Agreement?
"We quickly have to specify institutions and policy instruments", was a conclusion of the panel discussion jointly organized by MCC and Hertie School of Governance on 22 April
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"Those who harm the climate, to the detriment of all, have to pay for it."
Ottmar Edenhofer´s statement about the signing of the Paris Agreement on 22 April 2016
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Paris-Abkommen: Schöne Worte? Scharfe Werkzeuge!
(only in German) Kolumne von Ottmar Edenhofer beim Deutschen Klima-Konsortium (DKK): "Die Unterzeichnung des Paris-Abkommens ist der Anfang eines Weges, nicht sein Ende."
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EU-ETS will need tweaking after climate treaty
“The polluter pays” is the main principle in emissions trading. However, despite being the central pillar of EU climate protection, emissions trading has become a betting shop for policy decisions. A new study shows that the EU emissions trading scheme (EU-ETS) is controlled by announcements rather than by supply and demand. MCC researchers suggest the introduction of a minimum price.
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Drinking water: Carbon pricing could close infrastructure gaps
More than 700 million people have no running water. A study by MCC released today shows that a tax on carbon dioxide could help remedy this situation while contributing considerably to climate protection.
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Neues Buch: „Unter 2 Grad“
(only in German) Edenhofer zu Hintergründen, Inhalten und Konsequenzen des neuen Weltklimavertrages
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Dependency on food imports leads to food crises in many developing countries
Worldwide, the potential collapse of food imports threatens the food security of 200 million people. Countries in North Africa and Central America are the most dependent on imports, although the poor there are less affected. By contrast, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the dependence on imports is lower, but the poor are more affected. These were the findings of researchers of the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) in Berlin.
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Carbon taxes are key to sustainable growth
In the magazine "Herder Korrespondenz", MCC Director Edenhofer explained why we have to decouple growth from emissions—and the role which the Catholic doctrine of private property plays in climate policy.
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MCC director in dialogue with Pope over global commons
At the Vatican, Ottmar Edenhofer spoke with Francis about the relationship between science and religion. Global commons like the atmosphere were also one of the topics.
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Green Climate Fund as leverage for carbon price talks
MCC proposes to create incentives for countries to strengthen Paris Agreement through coordination of carbon prices
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MCC director becomes co-editor of important economics journal
Ottmar Edenhofer has been nominated as one of the editors of the influential scientific journal “Review of Environmental Economics and Policy” (REEP).
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Climate protection through a bonus on Christmas
With a new study the MCC proposes a fair distribution of revenues from carbon pricing through annual lump-sum payments to all.
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Negative emissions no silver bullet for climate change mitigation
MCC scientists have co-authored a paper in Nature Climate Change with the key message: There is no fall-back option to reducing CO2 now.
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COP21 should focus more on urban transport and electric cars
A new study by MCC lead author Felix Creutzig and other MCC scientists shows: The transport sector has the capacity to nearly halve its CO2 emissions by 2050 - if policy makers set the course.
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Towards a workable and effective climate regime
By writing a chapter on economic and institutional challenges of the 2°C target three MCC scientists contributed to a new book on what comes after the COP21.
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What Nigeria could contribute to mitigation
Being a part of a lecture tour organized by Germany’s government MCC group leader Jan Steckel met with policy-makers in Nigeria. Climate change and development were the main issues.
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EU too reliant on advice from “seven wise men”
In a new paper in "Nature Climate Change" the MCC proposes assessments as a means to strengthen the EU Scientific Advice Mechanism.
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MCC now partner of Green Growth Knowledge Platform
The institute aims at filling research gaps on the road to a green economy transition.
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Transport policies that make people happy
A new study by the MCC finds that citizens would benefit from fast-track bike paths.
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Two MCC scientists appointed professors
Through cooperations with The University of Potsdam and The Hertie School of Governance the MCC builds its profile in climate policy.
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Climate assessments need more policy-relevance
MCC director Edenhofer sees the IPCC at a crossroads: In "Science" he writes that in order to become more relevant it should explore costs, benefits and risks of politicial decisions on the national level, too.
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How to simultaneously tackle climate change and poverty
Pope Francis calls for recognition of the atmosphere as a global common. In "Nature Climate Change" the MCC shows the relevance for the combat on climate change and poverty alike.
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How new coal power plants let climate goals go up in smoke
In "Science" MCC director Edenhofer warns that building new coal power plants cause dangerous path dependencies.
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The curse of agricultural advantage
A new MCC study finds that geography is a fundamental cause of growth across societies: Geographical advantage for agricultural production may slow down development.
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Slashing fossil fuel subsidies to finance infrastructure investments
MCC Scientists illustrate how countries can reduce poverty and provide the poorest with water, electricity and sanitation by abolishing fossil fuel subsidies.
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Best Paper Award for scientists of MCC and PIK
Anne Zimmer from PIK together with Michael Jakob and Jan Steckel from MCC published the best paper in the Elsevier journal Energy for Sustainable Development in 2014.
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Renaissance of coal isn’t stopping at China
New results of MCC research show that the low price of coal is driving up global CO2 emissions. They were now published in the scientific journal PNAS.
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Heaven belongs to us all
With his encyclical "Laudato Si" Pope Francis wants to push climate policy. Ottmar Edenhofer and Brigitte Knopf from the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) explain what makes the encyclical revolutionary: The recognition of the atmosphere as a common property.
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A policy advice model for the IPCC assessments
The MCC has presented a new model for making environmental assessments more policy-relevant, yet not policy-prescriptive.
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Smart financial policy could help meet climate goals
A MCC study proposes taxing CO2 as a means to finance national budgets—and to protect the climate.
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Jan Minx professor for Science Policy and Sustainable Development
MCC’s cooperation on “Governance of the Global Commons” with the Hertie School of Governance has started.
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Foregoing growth hardly helps the environment
A new MCC study advocates the expansion and refinement of the debate around growth as well as the search for a new definition of welfare and prosperity.
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Brigitte Knopf is the new Secretary General of the MCC
The MCC, following a successful setup phase, focuses even more strongly on producing assessments.
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Edenhofer appointed to National Academy
Director of MCC elected as member of the National Academy of Science and Engineering acatech in January.
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How cities would need 25 percent less energy
Shorter commutes, more bike paths, higher fuel prices: The particular policy has to be adjusted to the city type.
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Urban form and climate change
MCC scientist Creutzig explains, in which cities a modal shift from car to public transit and cycling can protect the climate.
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Ethics and Economics: Study on Values in Simulations
A new study contends that the incorporation of value assumptions in scientific scenarios can improve the usability of those scenarios for decision-makers in politics and business.
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Why a EU Carbon Central Bank
A new MCC study shows: Such an authority could reduce political uncertainty and stabilize investors’ expectations on the EU ETS.
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Climate change mitigation through fight against poverty
A new MCC study shows that progress in climate change mitigation is hinged on the alleviation of poverty in the developing and emerging countries.
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Be careful when betting on negative emissions
An artikcle by lead author Sabine Fuss shows: In order to meet the 2-degree target, industrial-scale use of the yet unexplored BECCS technology would be required.
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Edenhofer one of the most important economists in Germany
MCC director Ottmar Edenhofer has climbed up the FAZ`s ranking of economic researchers achieving place eleven.
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Fuss member of Global Carbon Project Scientific Steering Committee
Sabine Fuss has been appointed a member of the GCP Scientific Steering Committee, where she will lead a research initiative called Managing Global Negative Emissions (MaGNET).
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IPCC Co-Chair calls for re-thinking of policy assessments
In the journal “Science” Ottmar Edenhofer and other leading authors comment on deleted content and the strengths and weaknesses of the IPCC process in a series of articles.
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MCC affiliated with the Technical University Berlin
MCC and TU Berlin signed a cooperation agreement to join forces to advance practical policy advice in climate economics.
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EU-wide Energiewende could strengthen Southern economies
MCC group leader Felix Creutzig Researchers advocates for climate policy to combat euro crisis - and sees energy policy as a key EU joint project.
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Obama allies climate policy with finance policy
With its strategy to reduce climate mitigation costs by early action the White House involves the research agenda of MCC scientistd in its current policy.
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Carbon price drop: recession innocent
A new study shows, neither the recession nor the renewable are — as often assumed — the main driver of the massive price drop in the European Emissions Trading System.
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EU ETS: Failure is not an option
Courageous steps are required to reform the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme, argues Ottmar Edenhofer in a comment piece for "Nature Climate Change".
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The Need for Resilience
Felix Creutzig co-authored a commentary on resilience and risk management in Nature Climate Change.
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A reform of EU ETS could result in nearly 3 billion more euros for Greece
Debt-ridden Eurozone countries could become more competitive through carbon pricing.
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OECD and MCC discuss assessment reports
The Environment Director at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) visited the MCC. The main purpose of the meeting was to exchange ideas about research projects.
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AFP and NDR
Felix Creutzig on the IPCC results regarding the importance of urban development.
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Sigmar Gabriel
The minister of economy comments on the IPCC presentation by Ottmar Edenhofer.
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New IPCC report
Ottmar Edenhofer: "It doesn't cost the world to save the planet."
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Release of new IPCC report
As the IPCC's WG III Co-Chair MCC director Ottmar Edenhofer presented its latest report. He says: "It doesn't cost the world to save the planet."
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Swisse Handelszeitung
Nicolas Koch explains, how financial markets are targeting energy commodities as investment markets.
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Energy Commodity Prices
The speculative demand from financial investors is a contributing factor of extreme price changes in the energy commodity markets. This is a key finding of a MCC study.
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Cities to face more heat waves
Creutzig and Fernandez appointed as authors for the Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities.
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Cities to face more heat waves
Creutzig and Fernandez appointed as authors for the Assessment Report on Climate Change and Cities.
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Frankfurter Rundschau
Sabine Fuss explains, how livestock farming could become a key in climate change policy.
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Applied Economics
Nicolas Koch about the close carbon-energy price linkages of the EU ETS.
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MCC at the Munich Security Conference
Ottmar Edenhofer talked with German Foreign Minister Steinmeier about security policy and global commons
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Leibniz Journal
Interview with Ottmar Edenhofer on scientific policy advice and on global climate change policy
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Journal of Industrial Ecology
Felix Creutzig and colleagues on climate technologies: life cycle assessments may mislead policy makers
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