Doris Fischer

Challenges of Low Carbon Technology Diffusion: Insights from Shifts in China’s Photovoltaic Industry Development

Large scale diffusion of low carbon technologies (LCTs) is an important element of strategies to mitigate climate change. However, diffusion of LCTs faces a number of barriers especially in developing and emerging countries. The Chinese photovoltaic (PV) paradox is an illustrative example of this dilemma: China is the largest producer of PV cells and modules in the world. However, until recently China did not have considerable PV energy installations. The paper analyses barriers related to technology, policy and politics that hindered solar PV energy use before 2009, and factors that since helped to overcome these barriers. Based on the Chinese solar PV experience the paper argues that diffusion of LCTs in developing and emerging countries demands a holistic approach and can sometimes be triggered by developments largely unrelated to climate change considerations.

Sustainability-oriented innovation in the automobile industry: advancing electromobility in China, France, Germany and India

Many leading economies have recently launched policy initiatives to promote electromobility. E-mobility presupposes innovations that are both radical and systemic, as new charging infrastructure, new mobility concepts and new interfaces with the energy system are needed. The paradigm shift affects an industry that is the backbone of manufacturing in many countries. Policymakers therefore need to strike a difficult balance between competing objectives: to mitigate climate change, reduce urban air pollution, enhance energy security and strengthen the competitiveness of national auto industries. Also, they need to ensure that investments in new vehicles, more efficient batteries and public charging infrastructures are undertaken simultaneously and in a coordinated way. This article shows that China, France, Germany and India deal with these challenges differently. It traces policy differences back to initial industry characteristics, specific political priorities and patterns of economic governance.

China–Europe Relations in Climate Change Mitigation: A Conceptual Framework

Despite the large-scale investments of both China and the EU in climate change mitigation and renewable-energy promotion, the prevailing view on China–EU relations is one of conflict rather than cooperation. In order to evaluate the prospects of cooperation between China and the EU in these policy fields, empirical research has to go beyond simplistic pictures. This paper suggests a conceptual apparatus that will help researchers better understand the complexities of the real world. The relevant actors operate at different levels and in the public and private sectors. The main message of the paper is that combining the multi-level governance and value-chain approaches helps clarify the multiple relationships between these actors.

Im Kampf um die Reisschüssel

Wurde heute versucht, eine reprasentative Umfrage zum Chinabild der Menschen auserhalb Chinas durchzufuhren, so kame mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit dabei heraus, dass die VR China international fur ihren Reform- und Entwicklungskurs sowie fur ihre grose Bevolkerung bekannt ist und zunehmend als ernsthafter Konkurrent in der Weltwirtschaft wahrgenommen wird. Letzteres gilt insbesondere fur den Bereich der arbeitsintensiven Produktion, aber teilweise bereits auch in anderen Industrien.