Stakeholder Discourse on Synthetic Fuels: A Positioning and Narrative Analysis

The transition of mobility (in German “Verkehrswende”) as a fundamental part of the overall energy transition is a controversial field among stakeholders—in particular when it comes to synthetic fuels. There are considerable opposing views on the pros and cons of synthetic fuels within stakeholder communication. Against this background, the aim of this study was to research stakeholder positions and communication by identifying, systemizing, and assessing the bandwidth of stakeholder statements and views in Germany using a document-based positioning analysis. The objective was to provide the broadest possible range of (controversial) assessments on synthetic fuels’ future pathways. Based on a document analysis of 41 sources published by 17 stakeholders from the areas of economy, environment, and civil society in the last ten years, we analyzed commonalities and differences in the assessments of the synthetic fuels’ path as well as the reasons behind it. The results were synthesized in three narrative frames dominating the German discourse on synthetic fuels, namely: (1) synthetic fuels as a key component for the mobility transition; (2) synthetic fuels as an essential strategic niche management component, and (3) mobility transition as sustainable, affordable, safe, and comfortable mobility—with or without synthetic fuels

Streams Analysis for Better Air Quality: The German Lead City Program Assessed by the Policy Package Approach and the Multiple Streams Framework

Air pollution caused by traffic and other sources remains a challenge in big cities and urbanized areas in Germany and abroad. Nitrogen dioxide emissions, particulate matter, noise emissions, and ozone are still problematic issues with negative impacts on both the environment and human health. In 2018, the German Federal Government launched the “Lead City Program,” a €130-million fund to support five selected so-called Lead Cities in developing and implementing air quality policies. This article comparatively analyzes the policy-making process and policy content for better air quality in the three (out of five) Lead Cities—Essen, Herrenberg, and Reutlingen. Conceptually, we rely on two theoretical frameworks—the policy package approach (PPA) and the multiple streams framework (MSF). The objective, thus, is an ex-post analysis of policy development by means of two policy science-based concepts. Based on document-based desk research and qualitative interviews with policymakers and stakeholders in each of the three cities, we identified a number of key variables that created a window of opportunity and paved the way for the selection of the policy packages. The resulting five key variables are direct interaction between the different governance levels, long-standing non-compliance with the European Union (EU) NO$_{2}$ limit values in many German cities, the resulting European and national infringement proceedings, the diesel scandal, and the Lead City Program as overall multiple stream-coupling facilitators. The results are then discussed regarding the explanatory power of MSF and PPA and the mutual potential linkages these concepts offer for future research

Future converging infrastructures: Assessing the consequences of increasing sector coupling and integration

The process of converging infrastructures – the integration and coupling of the energy, transport, heating and cooling sectors – challenges technological paradigms and economic structures as well as patterns of individual and collective action. Renewable energy sources (RES), physical and digital networks, and new market opportunities promise more efficient use of energy and reduced emissions. However, every technological solution creates new problems. Therefore, we propose to analyze possible developments by exposing socio-technical problems. This contribution analyses recent studies drawing on sector coupling and assesses the consequences of converging infrastructures

Future converging infrastructures: assessing the consequences of increasing sector coupling and integration

The process of converging infrastructures - the integration and coupling of the energy, transport, heating and cooling sectors - challenges technological paradigms and economic structures as well as patterns of individual and collective action. Renewable energy sources (RES), physical and digital networks, and new market opportunities promise more efficient use of energy and reduced emissions. However, every technological solution creates new problems. Therefore, we propose to analyze possible developments by exposing socio-technical problems. This contribution analyses recent studies drawing on sector coupling and assesses the consequences of converging infrastructures.Der Prozess konvergierender Infrastrukturen - die Integration und Kopplung der Sektoren Energie, Transport und Wärme bzw. Kühlung - fordert technologische Paradigmen und Wirtschaftsstrukturen heraus, ebenso wie Muster individuellen und kollektiven Handelns. Erneuerbare Energiequellen, physikalische und digitale Netze sowie neue Marktchancen versprechen einen effizienteren Umgang mit Ressourcen und eine Reduzierung von Emissionen. Jede neue Technologie erzeugt aber nicht nur Lösungen, sondern auch neue Probleme. Deshalb schlagen wir vor, mögliche Entwicklungen anhand exponierter "soziotechnischer Probleme" zu untersuchen. Dieser Beitrag analysiert aktuelle Studien zur Sektorkopplung und bewertet die Folgen der Konvergenz von Infrastrukturen

Produkte mit offenem Visier?

Produkte könn(t)en viel erzählen – beispielsweise über ihre Umweltauswir­kungen entlang des gesamten Produktlebensweges. Um Produkte und Dienstlei­stungen zum ökologischen Sprechen zu bringen, wurden verschiedene Instru­mente entwickelt, die Umweltinformationen bereitstellen. In der Regel orientiert sich die Produktinformation an einem allgemeinwohlorientierten Schutzziel wie sozial-ethischen, ökologischen oder gesundheitspolitischen Ziel­setzungen. Produktinformationen gelten daher als exemplarisches Kommunika­tionsmittel entlang der Akteurskette – geteilte Verantwortung par excellence

Bioökonomie als soziotechnische Gestaltungsaufgabe: Anforderungen für eine „Good Governance“

Wie lässt sich soziotechnischer Wandel im Kontext der Bioökonomie aktiv gestalten? Und wie kann mit Risiko, Unsicherheit, Nicht-Wissen und Komplexität entlang der Wertschöpfungsketten umgegangen werden? Diese Fragestellungen stehen im Mittelpunkt des laufenden Forschungsprojekts „Good Governance Bioökonomie“, das im Rahmen der sozialwissenschaftlichen Begleitforschung der Bioökonomiestrategie Baden-Württembergs gefördert wird. Im Sinne einer passgenauen Begleitforschung wird das Projekt empirisch auf die bereits geförderten technischen Bioökonomieprojekte im Bereich Lignocellulose und Biogas zurückgreifen, um über Expertengespräche und Interviews Bandbreiten, Einflussfaktoren und Gestaltungspotenziale für den Übergang zu einer biobasierten Wirtschaft zu ermitteln