The Temperature Target of the Paris Agreement and the Forgotten Aspects of a Meaningful Energy Transition

Abstract

The starting point of this paper is the energy transition currently taking place in Europe (and beyond) and the drastic temperature target set by Article 2 (1) Paris Agreement (although the agreement remains vague regarding other aspects). In view of the temperature limit, the energy and climate transition (globally and in Europe) is, by all means, insufficient. Especially as it requires the immediate and complete phase out of fossil fuels is not obvious. In addition, energy transition is often mistaken for a power transition, wholly relying on technical approaches and neglecting the necessary sufficiency measures. Existing policy approaches fail because of lacking ambition in their targets, as well as rebound and shifting effects (understood in a broad sense). But there are promising alternative policy approaches, especially on a Law and Economics basis.