Ideas are always children of necessity.
At a glance
- We are the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung are aware that: Sustainable management calls for focussing all efforts on halting man-made climate change.
- Global examples such as climate change demonstrate the difficulty of implementing sustainable management when many stakeholders are involved whose starting positions and interests differ greatly.
- We are convinced that people and governments will not be motivated to act sustainably through renunciation and asceticism alone. Innovations are necessary in order to achieve climate targets.
- Incentives and fair framework conditions are important at international level. They must function according to the polluter pays principle in line with the fundamental concept of the the social market economy.
- European innovations could be pioneers in implementing the best incentives and framework conditions, exporting them and thus contributing towards greater global sustainability. We support this goal with our work.
Content
1. The interests of global players make sustainable business more difficult
2. Sustainable innovation is more than just technology
3. Framework conditions based on the polluter-pays principle
4. European innovations as pioneers
5. Our offers and projects on the topic
6. Publications, events and media contributions on the topic
Innovations are not an end in themselves. They are most valuable when serving humanity. A prime example is innovations for sustainability. This is why the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has evolved its core theme of “Innovation” to focus on “Sustainability Needs Innovation.”
The interests of global players make sustainable business more difficult
Defining sustainability broadly as a practice that does not compromise the future and its inhabitants, it encompasses ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Sustainable business practices require efforts to halt man-made climate change and avoid burdening future generations with our current consumption, both ecologically and financially. The concept, originally from forestry, stresses the importance of not endangering the regenerative capacity of natural resources through excessive use.
The challenge of sustainable business becomes even more complex at the global level, as seen in the case of climate change. Unlike sustainable forest use, where the number of actors can be limited and motivated to act sustainably, reducing emissions involves a multitude of states, companies, organizations, and individuals with diverse starting points and levels of prosperity.
Sustainable innovation is more than just technology
While focusing on Germany and Europe, it becomes apparent that people cannot be motivated to act sustainably by austerity and asceticism alone. Innovations are necessary to achieve climate goals. New technologies already significantly contribute to reducing emissions, adapting to climate change effects, and unlocking “negative emissions.” This includes not only environmental innovations but also applications of artificial intelligence with positive sustainability impacts.
However, innovation encompasses more than just technology. New organizational forms and behaviors are also crucial. Hence, promoting innovations as a pathway to sustainability is not merely a belief in technology; actual behavioral changes are necessary. The motto is not less, but different. Innovations must be directed towards sustainability, and not every innovation necessarily serves this purpose. Our “Sustainability Navigator” has been showcasing examples of the right kind of innovations, which will now be integrated into our core theme “Innovation Needs Sustainability.”
Framework conditions based on the polluter-pays principle: social market economy leads the way
Especially for a global phenomenon like climate change, the framework conditions that incentivize sustainable economic activities and innovations are crucial. These conditions must operate based on the polluter-pays principle, as exemplified by the regulatory framework of the Social Market Economy. An essential aspect of this concept is that social costs must be factored into the price of goods (internalization of external effects). In terms of ecological, economic, and innovation efficiency, taxes on emissions and certificate solutions are more effective than outright bans or prohibitions, as they set technology-neutral incentives. This approach is the best and fastest way to achieve our climate goals, although implementation on a global scale can be challenging. Both mandates and prohibitions will be necessary, but sustainability is too important to be pursued without the Social Market Economy.
European innovations as pioneers
Even though the emissions share of Germany and Europe may seem small, we can lead by implementing the best framework conditions and incentives. Innovations developed under these conditions can be exported, exerting a sustainable impact beyond our borders and enhancing the competitiveness of our economy. Sustainability is increasingly becoming a factor in location decisions. However, we must avoid arrogance: many countries are working on the right rules and are committed to sustainable economic practices. Mutual recognition often proves to be a better approach than uniform standards for all.
Our offers and projects on the topic
International offices and programmes
Our commitment to fostering sustainability through innovation within the framework of the Social Market Economy can only succeed if it is approached globally. Therefore, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung is actively involved in international energy security and climate change programs abroad, participating in exciting projects aimed at sustainable action
International Energy Security and Climate Change Programs
The shift away from fossil fuels poses significant challenges for humanity. The targets set in the Paris Climate Agreement for limiting man-made global warming are a crucial step towards a more sustainable lifestyle. However, these goals demand considerable effort from all stakeholders to mitigate the impacts of climate change. Since 2015, our regional programs on energy security and climate change in Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Middle East and North Africa have been contributing to enhancing cross-regional dialogue on energy, climate, and environmental policy in these regions. Our primary goal is to support current discussions, develop solutions, and, most importantly, promote concrete projects for sustainable action in politics, business, and society.
Learn more about International Energy Security and Climate Change Programs
Publication, video and website projects
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has already developed and implemented numerous projects and campaigns on its priority topic “Sustainability needs innovation”, a selection of which we would like to present to you here. In addition, our publication series “Monitor Nachhaltigkeit” (Sustainability Monitor) contains articles on various (also innovation-related) aspects of sustainability at irregular intervals.
Biotechnology and genetic engineering
Genetic engineering and biotechnology and the associated fields of research are controversial in society and politics. According to many critics, the risks are unacceptable. But the facts refute this criticism. They show: The opportunities far outweigh the risks. Without modern life sciences, advances in medicine, pharmacy, plant breeding, agriculture, food production and environmental research would be unthinkable. All scientific findings speak in favor of dealing responsibly with these new cross-sectional technologies. However, the recommendation is clear: the potential must be exploited, and abandoning biotechnologies and genetic engineering would be a big mistake.
Where are the opportunities in the life sciences? What economic potential do they hold? How can they contribute to overcoming the challenges we face? What are the benefits for people? How should genetic engineering and biotechnology, embryo and stem cell research, reproductive medicine and other fields of application be regulated? What potential risks need to be considered? You can find information and food for thought on these questions on our project page.
Sustainability Monitor
With the publication series “Sustainability Monitor,” we address current sustainability issues from the perspective of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, mostly on an occasion-related basis, to make them accessible to an interested public in politics, science, and civil society, and to contribute to the positioning of the foundation on this important cross-sectional and future issue.
Quantum Computing and Its Importance for Our Society
Quantum computing has enormous potential. Whether economically or in a societal context, quantum computers represent a very significant future technology. Our publications on quantum computing in the context of digitalization explain the fundamentals and applications, explore the potential, and provide insight into the current state of research.
Digital Transformation in Asia-Pacific
In the field of digitalization of the economy and society, the Asia-Pacific region is considered a pioneer. Nowhere else has the use of digital processes, products, and everyday helpers progressed further than there. Particularly impressive is the progress being made in many Southeast Asian and Pacific nations in the area of important future technologies and trends. These include topics such as artificial intelligence, e-health, FinTech, and autonomous driving.
Our offices abroad and regional programs are keeping a close eye on these developments and attach great importance to digitization efforts and the successes achieved so far in the region as part of our foundation-wide innovation theme. In order to drive social and economic value creation in the spirit of the social market economy and create added value for society as a whole, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation is committed to sharing experiences between Germany, Europe, and Asia together with regional players from politics, business, society, and academia.
Home Office and Mobile Working
Home office and mobile working have been important topics on the agenda of the socio-political debate, and not just since the COVID-19 pandemic. With our project page, we want to provide guidance in the form of video interviews with experts and concrete political recommendations for action, as well as contribute to drawing the right conclusions from the experience gained and setting the necessary course for the future.
Networks and cooperations
To promote sustainable urban development and market- and innovation-oriented strategies for climate neutrality, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung has launched the “Strong Cities 2030” initiative and established a cooperation with the German think tank EPICO Klimainnovation.
Strong Cities 2030 Network
Urbanization is one of the megatrends of the 21st century. By 2050, about three-quarters of the world's population is expected to live in cities. This significant development brings challenges but also opportunities. Sustainable Development Goal 11 of the 2030 Agenda aims to make cities and settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Our “Strong Cities 2030” initiative is designed to promote urban development towards greater sustainability, resilience, and inclusion through global exchange between political elected officials and experts from science and practice.
Cooperation with EPICO Climate Innovation
The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung entered into a cooperation with EPICO KlimaInnovation in 2021. The network aims to advocate for sustainable, market-based, and innovation-oriented climate and energy policies and develop strategies for climate neutrality from the center of society and contribute to their implementation. The focus of the cooperation is the “Policy Accelerator for Climate Innovation,” a project that has developed clear recommendations for action on key energy policy issues and target images for achieving climate neutrality through an agile design thinking process.
Publications to the topic
EU-Japan Critical Raw Materials Alliance
How the EU and Japan could benefit from large-scale cooperation in the field of rare earth elements
Adobe Stock / Dancing Man
Kazakhstan’s Energy Transition
Tackling the Challenges on Kazakhstan’s Path to Carbon Neutrality
Johnny Ryan
Creating the Space for Competitive & Resilient Digital Europe
Streamline Enforcement or Risk Prosperity and Safety
Adobe Stock / Dzmitry
Nigeria’s Energy Transition
Approaches for an efficient and pragmatic energy transition and climate protection
Adobe Stock / Thomas Renz und Northvolt Pressefoto
Securing prosperity and sustainably
Successful structural change through climate-neutral industrialisation
Adobe Stock / Huy Nguyen
The Economic Race in Southeast Asia – and why Europe is falling behind
How Europe can compete with China, Japan, and the United States?
stock.adobe.com/Kiattisak
Courage for new ideas – How can we increase the efficiency of our healthcare system?
For lasting reliability of our healthcare system
Adobe Stock / Bigc Studio
Is China's Stimulus Package Delivering?
A Closer Look at Economic Revival Efforts
Adobe Stock /Shozib
Tools for ‘smart’ urban development: Urban Digital Twins
Organising Smart City as a platform: realistic digital images of a ‘city section’, for the evaluation and simulation of urban situations or processes
IMAGO / NurPhoto
South America is burning
South America has been experiencing one of the driest years for a long time
ESG principles and Disclosures in United Kingdom and South Africa (The Fourth Report)
Interdisciplinary Journal of Economics and Business Law
Społeczna Gospodarka Rynkowa w dobie transformacji energetycznej w Unii Europejskiej i Ukrainie
Biblioteka Myśli Ekonomicznej
Adobe Stock / Diki
CO2 compensation – climate protection instrument, fraudulent labelling or modern indulgence trade?
On the controversial role of CO2 offsetting and the importance of binding global standards to avoid greenwashing – with insights from Latin America
UN Photo/Loey Felipe
2024 High-Level Political Forum: The SDGs Caught in Geopolitical Tensions
Seeing the visible signs of fragmentation on common issues in the UN’s foremost platform for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Adobe Stock / kilimanjaro
Energy transition? Yes, but please make it sustainable!
Appeal for an environmentally friendly, secure and affordable energy supply in Germany
Adobe Stock / chingching
Climate Finance: a Matter of Justice?
How much? What for? Who is going to pay for it?
Event Reports on the topic
Jana Reimann-Grohs/KAS
Preis Soziale Marktwirtschaft 2024 verliehen
Dynamik, Mut zur Veränderung und Neugier auf Neues
Thomas Ehlen / kas.de
DemocrAIcy III
Gesellschaftliche Chancen und Risiken Künstlicher Intelligenz im politischen Prozess: Fake News und Cybersicherheit
Klicken, Lernen, Wissen?
Herausforderungen an Gesellschaft und Schule in der digitalen Welt / Eindrücke von der Fuladaer Tagung 13. Februar 2024
Der Green Deal als Blaupause für Innovation und Nachhaltigkeit?
Veranstaltungsbericht: Seminar zum Thema "European Green Deal" in der Villa La Collina, Cadenabbia
KAS / Juliane Liebers
Energiekonferenz: Der Ruf nach mehr Freiraum für Innovation
The Power of Crisis: Energie der Zukunft
KAS
Sustainability Requires Innovation
Searching for a Fair Distribution Key in the Data Economy when Competition Matters
Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung/Kai Bodo Schläfke
Immersive Technologien und der Hype um das Metaverse
Im „forum digital“ diskutierten Politik, Wirtschaft und Forschung die Potentiale von virtuellen Realitäten
Thomas Ehlen / kas.de
Algorithmen entscheiden nicht - Unsere Zukunft mit Künstlicher Intelligenz
Eine Bilanz des Fuldaer Gesprächs 3. November 2022
KAS/Thomas Langer
Politischer Wille und Umsetzungskraft entscheiden über erfolgreiche kommunale Klimapolitik
Handlungsbedarf erkannt: Kommunen zeigen, wie innovative Klimaanpassung vor Ort funktioniert
Nachweis: Stiftung Rheinisch-Westfälisches Wirtschaftsarchiv zu Köln, RWWA 600-F419.
Salomon Oppenheim jr. (1772–1828) zum 250. Geburtstag
Veranstaltungsbericht
Media library
Jahresbericht 2022
Vor dem Hintergrund des Krieges haben sich unsere Kernthemen (Sicherheit, Innovation sowie Repräsentation und Partizipation) im vergangenen Jahr abermals in höchstem Maße bewährt.
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