Global Governance on Renewable Energy : Contrasting the Ideas of the German and the Brazilian Governments

Comparing Germany’s and Brazil’s government perspectives, Sybille Roehrkasten reveals that the ideas on global renewable energy governance are highly contested. In her study, the author sheds light on the politics behind the definition of global governance issues, focusing on two pioneers in the worldwide promotion of renewables and two decisive players in this emergent area of global cooperation. She demonstrates that ideas about problems and solutions in transboundary policy-making differ widely, and that these differences are caused by the decision makers’ policy contexts and self-interests. The differences concern key aspects in global governance on renewables, such as global challenges to be addressed, favored renewables options, barriers to renewables promotion, and tasks for cooperation. Contents Global Governance on Renewable Energy German and Brazilian Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance Ideational Differences in Global Renewable Energy Governance Target Groups Researchers and students with a focus on global governance, international relations, energy policy, and the promotion of renewable energies Decision makers in the areas of international cooperation, foreign affairs, energy, economics and environment The Author Dr. Sybille Roehrkasten is a researcher at the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) in Potsdam. She works on the international dimension of the energy transition. . Sybille Roehrkasten ; with a foreword by Prof. Dr. Miranda Schreurs. Doctoral Freie Universität Berlin 2014. Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-312). Foreword 5 Preface and Acknowledgement 7 Contents 9 List of Tables 12 List of Figures 12 List of Abbreviations 13 1 Introduction 17 1.1 Research Purpose and Questions 19 1.2 State of the Art 22 1.3 Theoretical-Analytical Framework 25 1.4 Methodological Approach 27 1.5 Outline 29 2 Theoretical-Analytical Framework: Contested Ideas in Global Governance 31 2.1 Global Governance As a Perspective on Transboundary Policy-Making 31 2.1.1 Contextualizing Global Governance Research 33 2.1.2 Blurring the Boundaries between Domestic and Global Affairs 35 2.1.3 Governments: Central, but not the Only Actors 36 2.1.4 Value Added of Transboundary Cooperation 38 2.1.5 Transboundary Policy-Making in the Absence of a Supreme Authority 40 2.2 Integrating Contested Ideas into Global Governance Research 40 2.2.1 The Role of Ideas in Global Governance 41 2.2.2 Contestation and Power in Global Governance 44 2.2.3 Global Governors 47 2.2.4 Global Governance as a Concept of the OECD World? 49 2.3 Actor-Centered Framework for the Analysis of Global Governance Ideas 53 2.3.1 Policy Actors as Drafters and Carriers of Ideas 53 2.3.2 Weak Cognitivism and its Basic Behavioral Assumptions 54 2.3.3 Ideas as Causes and Results of Political Action 57 2.3.4 Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance: Contents and Reasons Behind 59 2.4 Methodology 61 2.4.1 Interpretative Research Design 61 2.4.2 Comparative Case Study Analysis 64 2.4.3 Sources 66 3 Global Governance on Renewable Energy 70 3.1 Tracing the Origins and Evolution 71 3.1.1 The Origins of Global Energy Governance 71 3.1.2 Initial Attempts to Promote Renewable Energy 76 3.1.3 Transboundary Policy-Making on Renewables Taking Shape 79 3.2 Global Challenges Addressed by Renewable Energy Promotion 86 3.2.1 Energy Security 87 3.2.2 Access to Energy 90 3.2.3 Environmental Sustainability 91 3.2.4 Trade-Offs Involved 93 3.3 Structural Characteristics 95 3.3.1 Dominance of National Policy-Making 95 3.3.2 Fragmentation 97 3.4 Global Governors and their Governance Activities 101 3.4.1 IRENA 101 3.4.2 IEA 103 3.4.3 REEEP 105 3.4.4 REN21 106 3.4.5 GBEP 108 3.4.6 CEM 109 3.4.7 UN Bodies and Agencies 110 3.4.8 G8 and G20 111 3.5 A Snapshot at Contestation and Social Construction 112 4 German Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance 114 4.1 Tracing the Government’s Action on Global Renewable Energy Governance 115 4.1.1 The Renewables 2004 Conference and the Establishment of REN21 115 4.1.2 Founding IRENA 123 4.1.3 Launch of the Renewables Club 134 4.2 Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance 136 4.2.1 Global Challenges: Predominance of Climate Protection 136 4.2.2 Renewable Energy Options: Sustainability and Electricity Markets 141 4.2.3 Barriers: Markets and Policies Favoring Conventional Energy 146 4.2.4 Tasks: Improving Domestic Regulatory Frameworks 149 4.2.5 Global Governors: Providing Information and Advice on Renewable Energy 153 4.2.6 Salient Features: the Responsibility of Industrialized Countries to Lead 162 4.3 The German Government’s Action and Ideas at a Glance 165 5 Brazilian Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance 167 5.1 Tracing the Government’s Action on Global Renewable Energy Governance 168 5.1.1 Initial Steps: WSSD 2002 and the Renewables 2004 Conference 168 5.1.2 Ethanol Diplomacy Begins: Time of Expansion 170 5.1.3 Intensification of Ethanol Diplomacy in the Light of Growing International Criticism 178 5.1.4 Continuation of Ethanol Diplomacy at a Lower Political Profile 184 5.2 Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance 188 5.2.1 Global Challenges: Predominance of Socio-Economic Development 188 5.2.2 Renewable Energy Options: Biofuels and Competitiveness 195 5.2.3 Barriers: Prejudices and Trade Restrictions 197 5.2.4 Tasks: Creating an International Biofuels Market 202 5.2.5 Global Governors: Focusing on Biofuels and Trade Issues 206 5.2.6 Salient Features: North-South Conflicts, Power Asymmetries and Re-Balancing 214 5.3 The Brazilian Government’s Action and Ideas at a Glance 218 6 Ideational Differences in Global Renewable Energy Governance 220 6.1 Identifying Ideational Differences 221 6.1.1 Global Challenges: Environment Protection vs. Socio-Economic Development 221 6.1.2 Renewable Energy Options: Electricity vs. Transport Sector 223 6.1.3 Barriers: Discriminatory Energy Policies vs. Discriminatory Trade Policies 227 6.1.4 Tasks: Improving Domestic Policies vs. Strengthening International Markets 229 6.1.5 Global Governors: Diverging Relevance and Assessments 231 6.1.6 Salient Features: Mutual Benefits vs. Conflicts and Power Asymmetries 232 6.2 Reasons Behind Ideational Differences 235 6.2.1 Coherency Between Ideas 235 6.2.2 Domestic Policy Context of Renewable Energy Promotion 239 6.2.3 Embeddedness in Transboundary Policy-Making 253 6.2.4 Institutional Context: Division of Competencies 256 6.2.5 Self-Interests 259 6.3 Overview of Ideational Differences and Reasons Behind 269 7 Conclusion 272 7.1 Ideational Differences in Global Renewable Energy Governance 272 7.2 The Reasons Behind the Ideational Differences 279 7.3 General Reflections and Suggestions for Further Research 287 Bibliography 291 Front Matter....Pages 1-18 Introduction....Pages 19-32 Theoretical-Analytical Framework: Contested Ideas in Global Governance....Pages 33-71 Global Governance on Renewable Energy....Pages 73-116 German Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance....Pages 117-169 Brazilian Ideas on Global Renewable Energy Governance....Pages 171-223 Ideational Differences in Global Renewable Energy Governance....Pages 225-276 Conclusion....Pages 277-295 Back Matter....Pages 297-312