Evaluation as a Cornerstone of Policies and Measures for the Energiewende

The German energy transition strategy aims at moving towards a sustainable energy supply and demand over the long term. It consists of many different activities and measures to address existing greenhouse gas mitigation potentials and to mobilize the necessary resources to reach stringent mitigation targets. It builds upon the federal government’s Energy and Climate Programme (BMU 2007) as well as its Energy Concept (BMU & BMWI 2010) and is described in detail in various official documents (BMU & BMWI 2011). The National Climate Initiative (NCI) of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUB) represents an important element of the programmes and measures relating to the Energiewende. It aims to provide substantial support for the reduction of Germany’s GHG emissions by 40% by 2020 and by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. The NCI is geared to bring about more climate-friendly behavior among businesses, consumers and local authorities in areas with significant efficiency potentials that cannot be tapped by instruments such as the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (the revenues of which fund the NCI). Numerous projects have been developed by the NCI so far, with many others to follow. These projects range from energy-aware and climate-friendly behavior, the use of efficient technologies and renewable energy, to measures