Reflecting on German Sustainability Politics & Current Affairs with Consul General Dr. Kreibich
This past Thursday, February 8, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Sonja Kreibich, Consul General at the German Consulate in Boston. Dr. Kreibich works with universities across New England to inform on developments in biotech and AI. She and Professor Wong led an insightful discussion on matters regarding Germany’s energy transition, political economy, and transatlantic relations.
I was fascinated by Dr. Kreibich’s points on the Energiewende; they expanded greatly upon my studies thus far.
The Consul General first spoke about the role of Germany’s Green Party in initiating the phase-out of nuclear energy (production), and today in ensuring the federal government’s implementation of environmental protection initiatives. She noted that with increased investments in wind, solar, and hydrogen power, renewables now make up 55% of Germany’s energy mix! Dr. Kreibich also mentioned a government policy designed to incentivize the replacement of fossil fuel residential heating systems with renewables-based alternatives (e.g., heat pumps)—I am interested to know more about this policy’s successes(/failures), particularly in major German cities.
Dr. Kreibich then acknowledged that government financing for sustainable development (namely investment in renewables, infrastructure, and digitization) is restricted by the “black zero” (Schwarze Null): a “constitutional debt brake” that limits the federal government’s annual budget deficit to 0.35% of GDP (DW). She explained that changing this limit would require a “supermajority” in the Bundestag, which, with the CDU holding the majority of seats in parliament, is presently unachievable. Still, I wonder if Germany’s political commitment to a balanced budget will have to give for the successful phase-out of fossil fuels.
Finally, Consul General Dr. Kreibich and Professor Wong considered the rising popularity of the AfD (Germany’s far-right “extremist” party) and its implications for German democracy. Germany is currently experiencing an “unprecedented period of wealth and peace,” said the Consul General, but needs de-bureaucratization and immigration to maintain political and economic stability. As such, she instructed us to broaden our perspective of global politics, economics, and entrepreneurship & innovation during our travels in Germany—through observation of the Bundestag, investigation of the Mittelstand, and immersion in the startup culture of Berlin. Until then, I will reflect further on these topics in the classroom. ☺
Thank you, Dr. Kreibich!
