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Megatopic Energy and climate change  The growing scarcity of fossil fuels must be addressed with intelligent, future-proof strategies. In the longer run, securing energy supplies will be possible only with a broad range of measures. Every available option has to be exhausted – the diversification of energy carriers and technologies and the mobilisation of all conservation, reactivation and efficiency-boosting strategies. One issue closely linked with the energy sector is the global challenge posed by climate change. Over the coming years a variety of measures will be taken to slow the pace of climate change and mitigate its negative consequences. All this will have a tangible impact on many aspects of business and society. |
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| Date | | 
Title | | Size | |
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19.07.2010 | |
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| |   76k
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08.07.2010 | |
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| Gas glut reaches Europe: Major impact on prices, security and market structure
| Abstract: |
A gas glut is heralding the dawn of a new era in the continental European gas market. The free-market price of gas will become the new benchmark and will be the guide for the price of pipeline gas. The new price environment is creating many opportunities and challenges for domestic customers, industrial users, municipal utilities, regional energy suppliers, independent traders, newcomers, power plant operators, importers and gas producers. The areas concerned are(traditionally)long-term contracts and the typical large-scale projects regarding pipeline construction, LNG infrastructure and gas storage facilities. The security of supply in Europe is improving, not least because the gas glut impairs the powerful position of the “Gas OPEC”. | | Topics: | Economic policy; Energy and climate change; Energy policy; Energy sector; European integration; European issues; Gas industry; Megatopics; Privatisation/liberalisation; Sectors / commodities | |
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| | 728k
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30.06.2010 | |
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| | 228k
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24.06.2010 | |
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| | 397k
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01.06.2010 | |
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| World water markets: High investment requirements mixed with institutional risks
| Abstract: | The world’s water markets are confronted with major challenges. The increase in the world's population and higher incomes in developing countries and emerging markets are going hand in hand with a rise in demand for food, energy and other goods. This is resulting in increased demand for water. Climate change will amplify many water-related problems and create new ones. We put the annual investment required in the global water sector at about EUR 400-500 bn. Governments will not be able to raise the funding needed on their own. For this reason, we believe it makes sense for governments and the private sector to cooperate more closely. Makers of “water technologies” will have huge sales potential awaiting them in the coming decades. We have used a scoring model to rank the attractiveness of various countries for investments in the water industry. Among the economies that ranked best are many countries from the Middle East, but also the heavily populated countries of China and India as well as the US and Germany. In principle, though, all countries require a substantial amount of investment in the water sector. | | Topics: | Cities; Economic policy; Energy and climate change; Environmental policy; Environmental protection; Globalisation; Mechanical engineering; Megatopics; Privatisation/liberalisation; Real estate; Sectors / commodities; Sustainability | |
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| | 914k
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21.04.2010 | |
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| | 82k
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12.04.2010 | |
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| Green buildings: A niche becomes mainstream
| Abstract: | Green buildings have considerable advantages over conventional buildings. They have significantly lower energy consumption as well as lower operating and maintenance costs. Over the life cycle of a building these savings often offset higher initial costs and result in low or even negative CO2 abatement costs. Investors increase their commitment to green buildings due to rent and value premiums as well as lower vacancy rates. As a result the number of certified buildings soared recently. Building green is also a solution for governments seeking ways to decrease their countries’ CO2 emissions. The European Union has made a special commitment to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. While placing substantial emphasis on the use of renewable energy sources the EU has also realised the building sector’s potential as a major contributor towards its environmental goals. Above all, it is governments that have been the strongest force for a greener real estate sector. Future legislation is going to make green buildings mainstream even before the green real estate sector was set to grow out of its current niche position. | | Topics: | Commercial real estate; Construction industry; Energy and climate change; Environmental protection; Megatopics; Real estate; Residential real estate; Sectors / commodities; Sustainability | |
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| | 313k
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01.04.2010 | |
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| | 81k
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23.02.2010 | |
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| | 834k
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19.02.2010 | |
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| Chemicals industry – China’s growth changing commodities mix
| Abstract: | Commodities prices look set to rise further. Their steady increase was interrupted only briefly by the economic crisis. Germany’s chemicals industry will continue to be faced with rising prices in the future. For this reason investment in more efficient plant must not be postponed. Also, every type of economically viable technology must be employed that can help save or replace commodity input. A case in point is biotechnology and its use of biomass. Biotech offers great potential and Germany’s chemicals industry should not miss this opportunity... | | Topics: | Chemicals industry; Energy and climate change; Sustainability | |
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| | 95k
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