Berlin (outs) – More jobs, more economic prosperity and greater economic cohesion: the energy transition promises a recovery, especially in the EU’s rural regions. They will benefit from the further expansion of renewable energy, especially as long as urban centers need support – this is the conclusion of a new study by the Bertelsmann Foundation.
The European Union wants to become climate neutral by 2050 – that is the heart of the Green Deal. The biggest challenge is the decarbonization of the European energy system. To achieve this, fossil energy must be replaced by renewable energy. The new Bertelsmann Foundation study shows that overcoming these challenges could also strengthen economic cohesion between Europe’s regions.
A positive conclusion: the shift to renewable energy is a huge opportunity for rural regions. You will particularly benefit from an increase of up to 4.9% in employment and 1,570 euros in added value by 2050. This guarantees better European cohesion, that is, more balance between Europe’s regions and economic cohesion. It turns out that regions that are already leaders in the expansion of renewable energy and rural areas with great potential for renewable energy generation will be those that will benefit most from the energy transition. A good example here is Berlin, in contrast to Brandenburg: the rural area around the German capital could benefit, while Berlin itself loses.
For many urban regions and areas whose industries rely heavily on fossil fuels, the energy transition represents a challenge that could have a negative impact on employment and economic prosperity. In these regions, the added value and jobs lost due to the phase-out of fossil energy production cannot be completely replaced by the expansion of renewable energy production. Specifically, this means: €2,450 less in value creation and 2.1 percent less employment by 2050. The differences between regions are due to the regions’ potential for generating renewable energy and their economic structures.
“It is clear: the energy transition opens up opportunities for rural regions, while new challenges arise for urban centers. Taking these regional differences into account, what is needed is an expansion of the strategy: on the one hand, the negative effects must be neutralized, especially in urban regions. On the other hand, rural regions must be helped to develop their full potential. An adapted European cohesion policy is now more necessary than ever to overcome these challenges”, explains Thomas Schwab, Europe expert at the Bertelsmann Foundation.
Questions and contact:
Thomas Schwab, telephone: +49 (30) 27 57 88 – 132
Email: [email protected]