Harmonising Climate Compatibility and Competition – Outcomes and Approaches to Solutions from Climate Economics

With its research focus “The economics of climate change”, the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research funded 27 research projects that investigated the economic aspects of climate change. As part of the accompanying activities to this research focus, the Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung (ZEW), Mannheim, and the Ifo Institute jointly coordinated one of four thematic focal topics entitled: “Energy resources and climate-friendly energy supply.” The aim of the accompanying activities was to strengthen the applied orientation and usage of this scientific work, as well as the communication of its results to politicians, businessmen and members of society. Various workshops and expert forums were organised to this end. This article documents the approaches to harmonising climate compatibility and competitiveness developed by the sub-projects in this research focal area. After examining potential solutions, the article raises open issues that highlight the need for further research.