Towards Net Zero

: the Russia­Ukraine conflict as a catalyst for green technologies in the German energy sector

Abstract

The ongoing Russia­Ukraine conflict has had a substantial economic impact on the German energy market. It highlights that rethinking the national energy mix is necessary not only to achieve international and national climate goals but also to achieve a higher degree of independence from imports, especially Russian natural gas imports. Greentech has the potential to play a crucial role in achieving this. However, the pace of innovation depends on various factors, such as investments and the adaptation of policies. This study draws on management theory perspectives to discuss how Greentech innovation can potentially gain momentum considering the geopolitical crisis. Semi­structured expert interviews were performed to identify the possible catalytic effects of the Ukraine war for Greentech. Furthermore, scenario planning was used to identify competitive advantages in the German energy sector for Green Technologies.The research found that the war has served as an indirect catalyst for Greentech innovation, as movements in external factors are apparent. These external factors, such as policy development and investment trends, are highly influenced by the war, which could give Greentech innovationmore traction in the future.

Date of Award	8 May 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Peter V. Rajsingh (Supervisor)