How might the energy transition change businesses and what should we consider in our community's response?

29 Mar 2019, 15:01 Sören Amelang Business Technology Stepping up Clean Energy Wire's coverage of the business upheaval triggered by the energy transition, and our upcoming Global Energy Transition Journalism conference #GETJO19, led me to reflect on my work as a correspondent covering this field. What is my key takeaway from visiting countless conferences, writing innumerable news and analyses, and interviewing dozens of managers and industry experts? I believe we're currently witnessing a tectonic shift. For many years, it seemed to me the German business community and their associated lobby groups were dragging their heels in the shift to a renewable energy future, delaying or even blocking progress every step of the way. Policymakers had to push grudging companies toward this future, while business leaders noisily complained the energy transition was leading the country down a blind alley. But now, the tables appear to have turned. By and large, it is companies that suddenly lead the way, while reluctant policymakers have to play catch-up. Countless new emission-cutting business ideas and innovations are popping up – both in young companies and industry behemoths – but are restrained by outdated regulation. An ever larger part of the business community is now concerned that Germany is falling behind in the global race to a low-carbon future. The transition itself – and my perception of the shift – was subtle and gradual, but a few key moments stand out. Obviously, the tone of the debate had started to shift noticeably after the Paris agreement, when it finally dawned on many companies that Germany’s energy transition was not an isolated phenomenon, but had morphed into a global trend. Secondly, the landmark “Climate Paths” study by the powerful and in my view rather hesitant – to put it mildly! – Federation of German Industries (BDI) stated in early 2018 that the energy transition is good for the German economy. I vividly remember a seasoned and visibly stunned c