Glossary

Bilateral energy cooperation

Bilateral energy cooperation refers to cooperation between two countries in the energy sector to achieve common objectives such as security of supply, decarbonisation and the development of renewable energy. These partnerships encourage the exchange of technologies and expertise, and they contribute to the global energy transition.

Climate action

Climate action refers to all measures designed to limit the extent of global warming. Above all, this is achieved by reducing or preventing the emission of greenhouse gases from the use of fossil fuels. Using renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency are important measures for climate action.
 

Climate change

The term climate change refers to long-term changes to the global climate, for example to temperatures and precipitation rates. While climate change can happen naturally, ever since industrialisation began, it has primarily been caused by human activities – in particular the use of fossil fuels and the consequent emissions of greenhouse gases that drive global warming.
 

Climate crisis

The climate crisis refers to the serious, often disastrous consequences of climate change caused by anthropogenic global warming. This crisis manifests itself in extreme weather events such as heatwaves, floods and droughts and in a significant rise in sea levels. The loss of biodiversity and the threat to human livelihoods are direct consequences of progressive global warming. Urgent measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are needed in order to prevent the worst effects.
 

Climate targets

Climate targets – also known as climate action targets – are the objectives of climate policy. Germany, for example, has set itself the target of achieving climate neutrality by 2045. At the global level, the Paris Agreement set the target of limiting global warming to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels. These targets are intended to minimise the impacts of climate change as far as possible.
 

Climate neutrality

Climate neutrality describes a situation in which human activities have no impact on the climate. A climate-neutral economy either releases no greenhouse gases at all or entirely offsets its emissions (known as greenhouse gas neutrality). At the same time, other actions that have an impact on the climate, such as land use changes, must also be avoided or offset to achieve climate neutrality.
 

Climate-related foreign policy

In climate-related foreign policy, a country pursues the objectives of its climate policy (its climate targets) as part of its foreign policy, i.e. in cooperation with other countries. Foreign policy instruments include international alliances and committees, as well as diplomacy. The aim of climate-related foreign policy is to promote climate action collectively with other countries.

Decarbonisation

Decarbonisation is the process of reducing CO₂ emissions in order to achieve climate neutrality. This entails switching from fossil fuels like coal, oil and natural gas to renewable energy sources such as wind energy, hydropower or solar energy. The purpose of decarbonisation is to limit global warming.

Energy dialogue

An energy dialogue is an exchange between different countries or stakeholders in which they discuss aspects of decarbonisation, energy security and foreign trade, and seek collective solutions. An energy dialogue is less formal than, for example, a climate and energy partnership.

Energy efficiency

Energy efficiency means using the available energy to achieve specific benefits, while preserving energy resources and expending as little effort as possible. It is a key component in reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions alike. Technological innovation and the better use of existing resources contribute to energy efficiency.

Energy investment

Energy investments are flows of capital used to develop or modernise energy infrastructure items such as power plants, electricity and gas grids, and storage facilities. They are crucial for the energy transition and the expanded use of renewable energy.

Energy partnership

In the context of the bilateral climate and energy partnerships of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), an energy partnership refers to strategic cooperation between two countries based on common interests in the field of energy and trade policy. Their objectives are to strengthen decarbonisation, the security of supply and foreign trade.

Energy requirements

The (primary) energy requirements refers to the amount of energy that a country, region or sector requires to order to meet its electricity, heating and mobility needs. This varies depending on the degree of industrialisation, the population size and the time of year. The aim of energy efficiency and energy-saving measures is to reduce energy requirements.

Energy sector

The energy sector encompasses all activities related to the extraction, generation, distribution and consumption of energy. The sector performs a crucial role in an economy. It includes both fossil fuels and renewable sources of energy, as well as the infrastructure for energy transmission.

Energy security

Energy security means that a country enjoys a reliable supply of energy at stable prices without major disruptions. Aspects of energy security include security of supply, grid stability and the diversification of energy sources to minimise political and economic risks.

Energy transition

The energy transition refers to the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources as a way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is a climate-friendly, secure and affordable energy supply. This transition involves not only changing the sources of energy, but also implementing measures to increase energy efficiency and reduce energy requirements.

Energy value chain

The energy value chain includes all stages, from extraction and conversion, energy transmission and consumption. Each stage creates additional economic value. A sustainable energy value chain optimises all stages with respect to their energy efficiency and climate impacts.

Environmental sustainability

Environmental sustainability means the ability to manage natural resources and ecosystems in a way that preserves them for future generations. Together with economic and social sustainability, environmental sustainability is one of the three pillars of sustainability. Measures to promote environmental sustainability include the protection of habitats, the responsible use of resources and the reduction of waste and emissions.

Exporting countries

In the energy sector, exporting countries are those countries that sell large amounts of energy sources, including oil, gas and electricity, to other countries. Key exporting countries contribute significantly to global energy supply, and their policy decisions can have an impact on energy prices and availability worldwide.

Fossil fuels

Fuels are energy sources whose stored energy is utilised through combustion. Fossil fuels have formed over millions of years from dead biomass. Examples include crude oil, natural gas, coal and peat. Since they are formed extremely slowly, fossil fuel resources are limited. Their combustion process generates considerable CO₂ emissions and therefore drives climate change.

Green hydrogen (renewable hydrogen)

Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable energy sources. This process splits water molecules into its component elements, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), without generating CO₂ emissions. As such, green hydrogen can contribute to decarbonisation and plays a key role in the energy transition.

Greenhouse gases

Greenhouse gases are gaseous components of the Earth’s atmosphere that contribute to global warming by intensifying the greenhouse effect. They absorb and retain long-wave infrared radiation emitted from the Earth’s surface, preventing heat from dissipating into space. Naturally occurring greenhouse gases, such as water vapour, carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), ozone (O₃) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), cause a natural greenhouse effect. The anthropogenic, i.e. human-made, greenhouse effect is caused mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and leads to climate change.

Grey hydrogen

Grey hydrogen is obtained from fossil fuels such as natural gas, coal and crude oil. One common process is steam reforming, in which fossil hydrocarbons react with water vapour to create hydrogen. This produces large quantities of CO₂, which means grey hydrogen is not a sustainable solution in the context of the energy transition.

Grid

In the energy sector, grids refer to the infrastructure needed to transmit and distribute electricity, gas or other energy sources. Infrastructure includes long-distance electricity transmission grids as well as those for local distribution to consumers. Modern energy grids are increasingly digitalised to support the integration of renewable energy and improve the security of supply. Networked grid systems and ‘smart’ grids allow for a flexible, efficient energy supply and automatic control of the flow of electricity. The expansion of such grids is crucial for the energy transition and the reduction in fossil fuel use.

Global warming

Global warming describes the rise in temperatures at a global scale, due mainly to the emission of greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels. This effect leads to climate change, with far-reaching ecological, social and economic impacts.

Heavy industry

Heavy industry includes energy-intensive industrial sectors that focus on the extraction and processing of raw materials, especially mining, iron and steel production, and the heavy chemicals industry. In Germany, heavy industry plays a big part in the industrial value chain, for example as the provider of raw materials for the construction sector and for car manufacturing. Due to their high CO₂ emissions, these industries are at the centre of decarbonisation efforts.

Hydrogen strategy

Germany’s National Hydrogen Strategy is the country’s roadmap for promoting hydrogen as a climate-friendly energy source. The main objective is to establish a market for green hydrogen in order to reduce the use of fossil fuels. The strategy encompasses broad support along the entire energy value chain and aims to ensure long-term international cooperation for sustainable hydrogen supply.

Hydrogen partnership

A hydrogen partnership is an international cooperation arrangement that promotes the exchange of technologies and resources for the production and use of green hydrogen. It aims to create structures that propel a climate-friendly energy transition and to build up expertise in the partner countries.

Innovation for the energy transition

Innovation means the introduction of new ideas, technologies or processes that bring significant improvements or new features. Innovation is vital in the context of energy and sustainability as it helps to overcome challenges like the energy transition and the reduction of CO₂ emissions, for example through the development of new biofuels or storage technologies.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that regenerate naturally or whose utilisation does not deplete the energy source. These include, for example, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower, geothermal energy and biomass obtained from renewable raw materials. Renewable energy is at the heart of efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions and combat climate change and its impacts.

Security of supply

Security of supply refers to safeguarding a reliable and comprehensive energy supply for all of a country’s industrial sectors, institutions and citizens. Security of supply must be ensured at a technical level (e.g. powerlines, grids and control systems) and at a policy level. For example, dependency on exporting countries can pose a risk to security of supply.

Solar energy

Solar energy is the use of the sun’s radiation to generate energy, in particular as heat (solar thermal energy) and electricity (photovoltaics). Solar thermal systems capture solar energy using collectors that heat up water or heat buildings. Photovoltaic systems convert sunlight directly into electricity, which households can either use themselves or feed into the grid. Both these technologies support the energy transition and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels.

Technology transfer

Technology transfer describes the sharing of knowledge, skills and technologies, either between science and industry, or between countries and organisations. Technology transfer is crucial for renewable energy, for instance for the more efficient use of solar and wind power around the world. This exchange is particularly supportive of developing countries and emerging economies as they develop local grids for sustainable energy and reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

Wind energy

Wind energy is a renewable energy source and refers to the use of wind turbines to generate electricity from the kinetic energy of the wind. In Germany, such turbines are built both on land (onshore) and in the sea (offshore). Wind energy is a key component of Germany’s energy transition. In 2023, it already accounted for around 28 per cent of the country’s gross electricity generation.