acatech – National Academy of Science and Engineering and NATF – National Academy of Technologies of France step up collaboration

Paris, 24 July 2023

The Presidents of the German and French National Academies Jan Wörner, Thomas Weber and Denis Ranque as well as representatives of science and industry from both countries intensified bilateral sharing in the areas of energy and mobility at their second joint workshop on 24 July 2023.

Agreed in April 2022, the tightening of ties was fleshed out at the first workshop in February 2023. In Paris on 24 July 2023, the Presidents of the academies along with experts from science and industry and the acatech Office declared their intention to step up collaboration in relation to energy and mobility, as well as to draw up joint positions in these two areas.

They discussed the future of mobility and energy supply in two groups.
The experts in the mobility group agreed that an analysis of overall energy requirements across all sectors is needed to achieve climate targets. Also, existing national perspectives must be placed in a European context. Electricity requirements in the mobility sector will increase in the future, which is why energy efficiency is required and renewable energy must be expanded in Europe. However, at the same time, the groundwork must be done for diversified, reliable energy partnerships with international supplier countries. In addition, a needs-based charging and refuelling infrastructure for alternative drives and fuels catering to all means of transport must be expanded throughout Europe. To avoid costly structure duplication and complicated upgrading, decisions about the strategic pathways to alternative drives must also be made, especially for heavy goods vehicles. The one-day workshop concluded with the academies stating that they intend to further step up the work that has begun and to develop common positions on the future of mobility by the end of the year with a broad target audience at European level.

The experts in the energy group also stated their intention to draw up a common position paper targeted at national ministries, the European Commission as well as the European Parliament. They intend to focus on the basic premises of European climate policy – climate-neutral by 2050. In doing so, they will consider all sectors as well as suitable measures to reach the targets. They will also take into account the European perspective of energy consumption, as well as energy supply resilience based on the European infrastructure. Not only that, but they will also focus on the strategic sovereignty of energy supplies, national priorities for renewables and nuclear energy as well as issues in relation to technology openness. The aim is to guarantee affordable energy throughout Europe as well as to bring about greater public involvement.

In their closing statements, the Presidents of both academies emphasised the great importance of the bilateral work. They believe the step up in collaboration will create tangible added value for European energy and mobility policy.