Abstract

Germany's enormous transformation away from nuclear energy and fossil fuels towards a renewable and energy efficient system-called the Energiewende-is playing an essential role in Germany's economy and policymaking. This article summarises the current knowledge on possible health impacts of the Energiewende and describes the need and opportunities to incorporate health into energy-related policy. A structural model helped to narrow down specific topics and to conceptualise links between the Energiewende, the environment and health. A comprehensive literature search was conducted within policy documents and scientific databases with English and German language selections. Of 7800 publications first identified only 46 explicitly related energy measures to health, of which 40 were grey literature. Notably, only 12% published by health authorities all others were issued by environmental, energy or consumer protection agencies, ministries or institutions. Our study shows that health impacts of the German Energiewende are rarely explicitly addressed. An integration of a health perspective into energy-related policy is needed including the involvement of public health authorities. A health impact assessment can be a suitable tool to support and evaluate Energiewende-related developments from a health perspective.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.