Insights from Consul General
I strongly believe in the power of primary research. Primary research provides access to unique information that is not easily accessible to the public. Exposure to different opinions shapes one’s understanding on the certain topic, helps in conducting a deep analysis — overall, the primary source acting as a bridge between information and understanding. Dr. Sonja Kreibich, Consul General, became the first person in connecting the dots together for me. Dr. Kreibich’s visit to Babson yielded valuable insights into Germany’s energy policies, economic challenges, and political dynamics.
I am genuinely bothered by the dynamics of energy supply and energy trade in the world, so the opening topic on energy was the most compelling for me, especially gas supply and reliance on nuclear energy. According to Dr. Kreibich, Germany has announced their phase out from utilization of nuclear energy back in early 2010 and currently there is not a single operating nuclear plant in the country. On the contrary, German’s closest neighbor, France, mainly relies on nuclear energy. Since Russia’s invasion to Ukraine, Germany attempted to limit the import of Russian gas, but faced additional constraints due to explosive ruptures in pipelines.
Currently, 55% of the energy in Germany comes from the renewables and the country is heavily investing into hydrogen. This prompted me to investigate which country emits fewer carbon emissions: France that relies on the nuclear energy (and 25% of renewable energy [1]) or Germany that is actively transitioning to renewable energy. My findings confirmed that Germany accounts for 1.46% of total GHG emissions, placing it among the top 10 emitter countries, unlike France with the share of 0.80% of world emissions [2].
Interestingly, even when considering emissions per capita, Germany still maintains a leading position due to its population being only 24% higher than France’s while emissions are twice as high. This is something that made me think about short-term and long-term benefits. Germany is focusing on long-term goals of achieving net zero by 2050, and France relies on relatively clean and affordable nuclear energy. While France emits less than its neighbor Germany, they may face consequences such as nuclear waste challenges and risks associated with running the nuclear power.
Next, our discussion turned to the socio-economic aspects of Germany, covering different views on political parties in the country. According to Dr. Kreibich, Germany’s exports are currently facing challenges due to bureaucracy and a shortage of skilled labor. She discussed suggestions for positioning Germany as a destination for immigrants from developing countries, particularly regions like Asia, India, and Vietnam, to address the labor shortage issue. However, she emphasized, this approach would require careful planning and consideration of various factors, given the differing views of political parties.
The political landscape in Germany, especially the dynamics between parties such as the right-wing AfD (Alternative for Germany) and the SPD (Social Democratic Party), highlights disagreements regarding the Euro, migration, and the legacy of the East-West division which often leads to protests. The rise of right-wing extremism, as exemplified by AfD’s anti-migration stance, reflects the complexities of Germany’s history and its ongoing struggle with identity and integration. What was particularly interesting to hear was the sense of nostalgia for communism and the GDR, which highlights the lingering socio-economic disparities resulting from reunification and the challenges of building a unified German identity.
