Using the Green Industrial Revolution to Encourage Growth

Events
09.10.2020

European Evening at ZEW Mannheim

Image opens in enlarged view Guests and podium at the European Evening on growth opportunities and climate policy.
An exclusive group of 30 participants followed the panel discussion on site at the ZEW Mannheim, while a live stream allowed all interested parties to participate.

The European Green Deal is an ambitious climate action plan by the European Union. Its implementation leaves a number of questions unanswered. During the European Evening at ZEW Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Science, Theresia Bauer, former EU Commissioner, Günther H. Oettinger, as well as the director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Ottmar Edenhofer, and president of ZEW, Achim Wambach, discussed what exactly is needed in order for Europe to become carbon neutral by 2050. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an exclusive group of participants comprising 30 guests was permitted to attend the event in person. Individuals who were interested in the event, but were not able to physically attend, were still able to follow the opening ceremony of the closure of the SEEK research programme via a live stream from their screens at home. Journalist Johannes Pennekamp moderated the panel discussion at the event.

Image opens in enlarged view ZEW President on the podium during his welcoming speech.
ZEW President Achim Wambach welcomed the guests at the European Evening at ZEW. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Achim Wambach, Theresia Bauer, Ottmar Edenhofer and Günther Oettinger at the panel discussion.
On the panel, ZEW President Achim Wambach, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Science Theresia Bauer, the Director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research Ottmar Edenhofer and former EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger discussed the ...
Image opens in enlarged view The European Evening was also attended by board members of the ZEW Sponsors' Association.
Among the approximately 30 guests were also board members of the ZEW Sponsors’ Association. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Theresia Bauer pointed out that it is important to be open to technologies.
Science Minister Theresia Bauer highlighted the importance of being open to technology in the green transformation. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Ottmar Edenhofer, who joined in by video, emphasized the expansion of emissions trading.
Professor Ottmar Edenhofer participated in the discussion via video call. He pleaded both for using the power of the market to protect the climate and to expand emissions trading. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view The ZEW President advocated green technologies in his speech.
ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach stressed that it is important that companies know that it pays off to invest in green technologies. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Former EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger talks about climate neutrality on the European Evening at ZEW.
The former minister-president of Baden-Württemberg and former EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger stated that it would be possible to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 if new technologies were developed with the help of science. © Erich ...
Image opens in enlarged view The discussion was moderated by the FAZ business journalist Johannes Pennekamp.
FAZ economics journalist Johannes Pennekamp moderated the panel discussion. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Wolfgang Franz, former ZEW President, took part in the discussion.
Former ZEW President Wolfgang Franz also attended the event and actively took part in the discussion. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Chairman of the ZEW Sponsors’ Association talks to Günther Oettinger.
Dr. Georg Müller, chairman of the ZEW Sponsors’ Association for Science and Practice, in conversation with Günther Oettinger. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view Minister Theresia Bauer was thanked for her chairmanship of the ZEW Supervisory Board.
The ZEW board of directors thanked Minister Theresia Bauer for her long-standing commitment as chairwoman of the ZEW Supervisory Board. © Erich Dichiser EDM
Image opens in enlarged view On the European Evening, ZEW Managing Director Kohl handed over an illustrated book to Theresia Bauer.
ZEW Managing Director Thomas Kohl handed Bauer a photo book documenting her close ties with ZEW. © Erich Dichiser EDM
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European Evening at ZEW: 10 Years of the SEEK Project

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Under the motto “Green Deal for Europe – Green Industrial Revolution Post COVID-19?”, the panel discussion participants debated growth opportunities in Europe against the backdrop of the EU’s climate policy. The Green Deal currently presents Baden-Württemberg and its automotive industry with a challenge. “It should not be determined too early that the correct solution is in place,” said Theresia Bauer, Minister of Science, Research and the Arts of Baden-Württemberg. “We need to be open to technological ideas and also have the courage to develop scientific solutions.” The federal state government wants to tackle the green industrial revolution together with car manufacturers and suppliers. “It is essential that we also further develop higher education with regard to engineering training at a rapid pace,” Bauer also said.

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ZEW leads in European research

The cause for the event was the closure of the international research programme “Strengthening Efficiency and Competitiveness in the European Knowledge Economies” (SEEK) after having been funded by the federal state of Baden-Württemberg for ten years. Wambach emphasised how SEEK has greatly advanced ZEW Mannheim. “We are now excellently positioned within the field of European research.” Thanks to SEEK, the institute has maintained a continual presence in Brussels and has become internationally connected with other research institutes. Oettinger, who collaboratively initiated the beacon project in 2010 also noted: “European expertise particularly has its place in Mannheim.”

Theresia Bauer, minister for science, acknowledged the scientific political advice that ZEW provides, not only within Baden-Württemberg but also nationally and in Europe. “SEEK played its part in helping ZEW to develop outstandingly. Although it is now coming to an end, its reputation has grown terrifically.” Bauer also made further announcements at the event. “We will attempt to construct an Innovation Campus in order to further strengthen the areas health and health economics in the metropolitan region.” The Rhine-Neckar Region has the potential to be an international model concerning health-related topics. “I would be very pleased if ZEW played an important role regarding this matter. The institute can make an important contribution here,” concluded Bauer.

The event was supported by the programme “Dialogue on the Economics of Climate Change” from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.