Photo : Solar panels lined in Germany. Source: Jens Büttner/dpa/picture alliance
11 January 2025, Saturday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #1034
By Samrudhi Pathak
GERMANY
Deutsche Welle finds 62.7 per cent electricity generated from renewable source
On 10 January, Deutsche Welle reported that renewable energy sources accounted for 62.7 per cent of the total electricity generated in 2024. However, the second largest party according to polls, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) says that it would end efforts toward decarbonization and plans for carbon neutrality within the next two decades. However, it is highly unlikely that AfD will come to power as most established parties do not want to form a coalition with the party. Germany's reduction of planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions stagnated in 2024. Though the emissions fell by three per cent which is the lowest in the country’s history, the decline was slower than the 10 per cent drop of 2023. In 2022, Germany was responsible for around 1.75 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions while the US was responsible for around 13 per cent of emissions. (Louise Osbourne, “Why Germany needs to keep lowering its carbon footprint,” Deutsche Welle, 10 January 2025)
Four out of 10 Germans worried about political future finds Deutsche Welle survey
On 08 January, Deutsche Welle published findings of a survey that four out of 10 voters in Germany are worried about the country's political future. Around 39 per cent of participants told YouGov pollsters that they were concerned, and 15 per cent said they were frustrated with political leaders. Around 50 per cent of the participants said that they do not want the Socialist Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) to be part of the next government. About 46 per cent of Germans said that the SPD was responsible for Germany's current economic woes, and only 11 per cent said they felt the party was competent to handle the economy. Around 29 per cent of respondents said they would be voting Christian Democratic Union and 21 per cent of respondents said that they would be voting for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). 1,908 participated in the survey conducted. (“Survey: 4 out of 10 Germans worried about political future,” Deutsche Welle, 08 January 2025)
More than 5,00,000 are homeless reveals Homelessness Report
On 08 January, Germany’s Homelessness Report revealed that around 531,600 are without a permanent shelter. According to the statistics and the empirical survey, around 439,500 were housed in the emergency housing assistance system as of the end of January, beginning of February 2024, while a further 60,400 were staying with relatives, friends or acquaintances. In total, around two-thirds of those recorded homeless are male. The statistics also revealed more than half of those without a permanent shelter had experienced violence since becoming homeless.The Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Construction of Germany, Klara Geywitz, said that the report "shows that homelessness takes different forms and has different causes and is by no means a purely urban problem." She said that the German government was taking steps to alleviate homelessness. (“Germany: More than half a million homeless, new report says,” Deutsche Welle, 08 January 2025)
THE UK
Europe’s largest battery storage construction starts
On 10 January, development of Europe's largest battery storage project at Coalburn in South Lanarkshire. Developers say that the two huge neighbouring battery farms will store enough electricity to power three million homes. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are being built across the UK to help balance the electricity grid, which is becoming increasingly powered by renewables. Almost 90 per cent of the electricity generated in Scotland last year was from low carbon sources like wind, solar or nuclear, according to figures from the Scottish government. The one gigawatt facility at Coalburn is being constructed in two phases. Work on the first phase started in November 2023 and is due to be operational later this year. Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) have confirmed that construction will begin shortly on stage two. (Kevin Keane, “'Europe's biggest battery farm' built on coal mine,” BBC, 10 January 2025)
REGIONAL
Germany and France warn Trump over purchasing Greenland
On 08 January, Chancellor of the German Federation Olaf Scholz said: “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country... no matter whether it's a very small one or a very powerful one." Also, the French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said "there is obviously no question that the European Union would let other nations of the world attack its sovereign borders." US President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed an interest in buying Greenland. Denmark, a long-time US ally, has said that Greenland is not for sale and that it belongs to its inhabitants. Greenland's prime minister, Mute Egede, is pushing for independence from Denmark. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that "Greenland belongs to the Greenlanders" and that only the local population could determine its future. (Alex Therrien, “Germany and France warn Trump over threat to take over Greenland,” BBC, 08 January 2025)
INTERNATIONAL
US sanctions Antal Rogan, close aide of Viktor Orban
On 08 January, the US Treasury imposed sanctions on Antal Rogan, the minister in charge in the current Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government’s cabinet office. "Antal Rogan is a primary architect, implementer and beneficiary of this system of corruption," according to the US Ambassador David Pressman. In response to this statement, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said that this is the personal revenge of the ambassador who was sent to Hungary by the failed US administration. Rogan also oversees the domestic secret services, and there have been indications from several NATO countries that Hungary can no longer be trusted with sensitive information because of the Orban government's close relations with Russia's Vladimir Putin. (Nick Thorpe, “US slaps sanctions on close aide to Hungary's Viktor Orban,” BBC, 08 January 2025)