Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
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Onlinehandel im Spannungsfeld von Verbraucherschutz und Nachhaltigkeit
Full text linkImmer mehr Verbraucherinnen und Verbraucher interessieren sich für die Bedingungen, unter denen Konsumgüter und Dienstleistungen entstehen. Sie möchten möglichst nachhaltig konsumieren. Gleichzeitig wünschen sie sich aber auch einen ungestörten, möglichst sorglosen Konsum. Daraus entstehen Konflikte, die nicht nur gesellschaftlich diskutiert werden, sondern sich auch in rechtlichen Problemen widerspiegeln. Denn während Nachhaltigkeit bislang im Umweltrecht verankert ist, finden sich im Verbraucherrecht hin gegen nur wenige, erste Ansätze. Die daraus resultierende Problematik eines auf den Vertragsschluss konzentrierten Verbraucherrechts in Zeiten einer zunehmenden Bedeutung des nachhaltigen Konsums soll im vorliegenden Papier an einem Beispiel veranschaulicht werden: der Retourenproblematik im Onlinehandel
A typology for circular economy data
Full text linkThe circular economy (CE) is a key pillar of sustainability policies, notably the European Green Deal, requiring extensive data across the value chain. However, the lack of a clear definition of CE data creates ambiguity in its understanding and application. This study addresses this gap by investigating the fundamental research questions: What are the dimensions that define CE data? and How is CE data currently being utilized according to these dimensions? To answer these questions, this research proposes a novel typology for CE data, examining its various dimensions and subdimensions across different levels, from product-specific to macroeconomic scales. Through a literature review and an analysis of 26 CE performance measurement frameworks, 334 distinct CE data points were identified and collected, serving as the foundation for defining eight CE data dimensions within the proposed typology. This approach has provided a clear definition of what constitutes CE data, contributing positively to business applications, particularly in performance measurement. Additionally, it streamlines data collection and analysis, offering a structured approach to prioritizing and interpreting CE data for effective implementation
A just transition to circular economy : exploring and potential social implications exemplary for the value chains batteries, plastics, and textiles
No full textAn in-depth review of key technologies and pathways to carbon neutrality : classification and assessment of decarbonization technologies
Full text linkWith the intensification of global climate change, carbon neutrality has become a crucial objective for achieving sustainable development, which critically requires systematic technological innovation and collaborative cooperation between technologies and countries. Through categorization and comprehensive technological assessments, a thorough examination of relevant technologies can furnish a framework to guide emission reduction efforts across various sectors. This review seeks to explore the methods by which various countries achieve carbon neutrality technology systems and pathways, with an in-depth study of the differences between the technological approaches and systems in China, the United States, and European countries. The construction of technology systems in several countries is reviewed, from the composition of the systems to the assessment of technologies that include indicators such as carbon reduction potential. Building upon an analysis of key technological pathways in renewable energy, carbon capture, utilization and storage, energy efficiency improvement, and hydrogen energy across different countries, a systematic evaluation is conducted from three key dimensions - policy formulation, resource endowment, and industrial foundation - to identify the similarities, differences, and driving factors in the construction of carbon neutrality technology systems among nations. Based on the previous work, we conducted a comparative analysis and summary of carbon neutrality pathways across various countries worldwide, systematically reviewing and evaluating carbon neutrality technologies in power generation, industry, transportation, and building sectors. Building upon these findings, the study offers recommendations for coupling diverse technological approaches and for international cooperation. By comparing international experiences and practices, this study provides operational references for countries in formulating technology planning and emission reduction strategies, and also provides an important basis for deepening global carbon neutral cooperation in the future
Implementation factors for green hydrogen projects : a systematic literature review
Full text linkThe global transition to a low-carbon economy relies on the large-scale deployment of green hydrogen as a clean energy carrier and industrial feedstock. Despite numerous project announcements worldwide, actual implementation remains limited. Accordingly, it is necessary to systematically analyse the critical factors influencing the practical deployment of green hydrogen projects. To this end, the paper conducts a systematic literature review examining the factors that determine green hydrogen project implementation success, analyzing 153 academic publications and key reports from IRENA and IEA. The systematic literature review identifies that the implementation of green hydrogen projects hinges on a complex interplay of techno-economic, site-specific resource, economic, and socio-political factors. Notably, there are significant global disparities, which are particularly evident for developing and least developed economies, often relying on international financing, technology transfer, and strategic partnerships. These disparities are also reflected in the academic landscape, where research predominantly focuses on advanced economies and major emerging markets
Hybride Geschäftsmodelle im zirkulären Wandel
Full text linkDie Kreislaufwirtschaft hat sich als eine zentrale Säule der nachhaltigen Transformation etabliert. Dies wird nicht nur aus den vielfältigen regulatorischen Prozessen auf EU-Ebene ersichtlich, sondern auch aus national-politischen Bemühungen wie der Nationalen Kreislaufwirtschaftsstrategie in Deutschland. Sowohl auf EU- als auch auf deutscher Ebene werden dabei explizit alle sogenannten R-Strategien angesprochen, d. h. sowohl das Recycling als eine der unteren R-Strategien als auch Wiederverwendung oder Reparatur im oberen Bereich der R-Strategien, die ein besonders großes Potenzial zur Ressourceneinsparung bergen und somit maßgeblich beeinflussen, ob eine tatsächliche Senkung des Ressourcenverbrauchs erreicht werden kann
Holistic evaluation of digital applications in the energy sector : evaluation framework development, test, and validation
No full textDigital technologies have developed exponentially in recent decades. This trend is expected to continue in the foreseeable future, bringing about massive changes in society and the economy. Although in some industries, digital transformation itself is the driver of change, this is not the case in the energy sector. Due to the need for decarbonization, the energy sector is currently undergoing a fundamental transformation from a demand-driven central system mainly based on fossil fuels to a supply-driven decentral system based on renewable energies. Digitalization is not in itself driving this transformation, yet it may be an enabler and accelerator. Digital technologies are expected to play an increasingly important role in the future energy system. How this role will look like depends on both the emerging requirements of the decarbonization transformation as well as the future development of information and communication technologies. Due to the increasingly significant impacts that digital applications cause, a holistic view on these impacts is imperative to avoid adverse effects while maximizing benefits. Such a holistic view must cover the relevant impact areas, include the relevant stakeholders' perspectives, and involve representatives of the relevant stakeholder groups. However, this holistic view of the digital transformation itself or specific digital applications does not, to the best of the author’s knowledge, yet exist in the concurrent literature, constituting a content gap. The assessment of available evaluation approaches and methods reveals a corresponding methodological gap. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation is to develop a framework for the holistic evaluation of digital applications in the energy sector. To achieve this goal, an approach is defined in line with three research questions. First, potential digital applications are categorized, and their characteristics are identified. Second, evaluation requirements are derived. Third, available evaluation approaches and methods are assessed against the requirements, and a potentially suitable combination of three methods is identified. Subsequently, a framework based on these methods is developed. Lastly, the framework is tested by evaluating two digital applications, improved, and its suitability is validated against the defined requirements. Hence, the main novelty of this thesis is the presented framework comprised of the combination of the three methods, the adaption to digital applications in the energy sector, and the resulting holistic evaluation results. The results and conclusions obtained in this dissertation consist of three parts. The first part is the overview and categorization of digital applications in the energy sector, including associated benefits and impacted stakeholders. It is concluded that digital applications are very diverse in nature and can be categorized by their area of impact, system balancing, process optimization, and customer orientation. The categorization is relevant as a basis for further research. The second part of the results is the evaluation framework itself. The framework is based on the combination of three well-established methods, multi-criteria analysis (MCA), life cycle assessment (LCA), and expert interviews, and covers technical, ecological, economic, and socio-political aspects. Based on a suitability assessment, it is concluded that the framework is well suited for the holistic evaluation of digital applications in the energy sector and therefore closes the identified methodological gap. The third part consists of the evaluation of two digital applications, namely the “smart meter” roll-out in Germany and a standalone "ADLS” (Aircraft Detection Lighting Systems) for wind turbines prior to its expected roll-out in Germany. Both applications are very relevant and highly discussed in their respective areas. The evaluation delivers aggregated high-level results as well as detailed insights regarding risks and obstacles. These results are of high relevance for the involved stakeholders to find solutions for the identified risks and obstacles, maximize the benefits and ensure a smooth and quick roll-out. The tests constitute not only the first applications of the framework but also the first holistic evaluations of the two evaluated digital applications and hence contribute to closing the identified content gap. In a future advancement, the methodology of the framework could be extended by applying fuzzy MCA logic and integrating life cycle costing (LCC) as well as social life cycle assessment (SLCA). Prospectively, with an increasing number of performed evaluations, not only the results of specific digital applications can be discussed and compared, but increasingly, the basis for a broader discussion regarding digitalization as a transformative process is created
