Barazia gjinore

Germany has advanced towards gender equality over the last year through legislative reforms and targeted initiatives, improving its international rankings, the NSG reports. However, these advances also led to criticism and challenges, particularly over the new self-determination law for transgender individuals, as well as ongoing issues in other areas of gender equality. Germany rose to sixth place in the Global Gender Gap Report 2023, a significant jump from 10th the previous year. This improvement was driven by increased gender parity in federal ministries[1], a higher percentage of women in top corporate positions[2], and especially in the sectors of health and education.[3] However, critics argue that the Global Gender Gap Report does not fully capture persistent issues such as the gender pay gap and the underrepresentation of women in certain high-level economic sectors and STEM fields. The NSG highlights that these areas require better-targeted policies and more-consistent monitoring to ensure sustainable progress. Although Germany has introduced more quotas to aim for gender equality, there are still no tools to monitor and enforce these quotas in private corporations. In addition, despite legislative progress, anti-LGBTQI+ violence has increased, with over 1,400 hate crimes reported during 2022.[4] Germany has actively implemented several OECD-recommended initiatives to promote gender equality, including gender mainstreaming and budgeting, encouraging fathers to take parental leave, and enforcing pay transparency measures, according to the OECD[5]. , critics note significant gaps between policy formulation and implementation. Societal norms and workplace culture often discourage men from taking extended parental leave, and although pay transparency measures are a step forward, the gender pay gap persists. Structural changes in workplace practices and stronger enforcement of equal pay laws are necessary to address these issues comprehensively.

Germany has intensified efforts to combat gender-based violence, particularly against LGBTQI+ individuals, through initiatives such as trainings on prevention of LGBTQI+ hate crimes ; a designated contact persons at police stations remains a good practice introduced in the past.[6] However, concerns remain over the adequacy and consistency of these training programmes and the uneven availability of support services across regions. As hate crimes against LGBTQI+ people and women rise, addressing these issues remains critical.

In 2023, the state of Bavaria implemented a controversial "gender ban" policy that prohibits the use of gender-neutral language in official government communications and education.[7] The policy has sparked criticism for its exclusionary and discriminatory nature, particularly towards non-binary and transgender individuals. Critics argue that it hampers inclusive education and awareness efforts, does not reflect the principles of human rights, and represents a regressive step in a cultural landscape where many regions are advancing towards greater acceptance of gender diversity. In April 2024, Germany passed a self-determination law allowing individuals to change their legal gender based on self-declaration without medical or psychological evaluation. This was hailed as a significant advance for transgender and non-binary rights, aligning the country with international human rights standards.[8] However, the law has faced substantial criticism, such as the possibility that self-determination might be misused and lead to concerns over privacy and safety in gender-segregated spaces. In addition, some experts believe that the removal of mandatory evaluations might result in fewer transitioning individuals receiving the comprehensive medical and psychological support they need.

German law continues to criminalize abortion, which is formally illegal, except when the woman is a victim of rape, her life is in danger, but also if the abortion is carried out in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy following a medical consultation Although, abortion is listed under the criminal code, and therefore is formally illegal, there is no evidence of legal consequences for people getting an abortion under the circumstances mentioned above.[9] Activists have long called for the complete decriminalization of abortion, arguing that the current status stigmatizes women and limits reproductive rights. Despite growing public support, conservative and religious opposition to decriminalization persists. Critics point out that Germany lags behind other European countries with more progressive abortion laws, which result in better health outcomes for women.[10] Experts from the government’s commission on reproductive self-determination and reproductive medicine have advised Germany to legalise abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. 

Edukimi, trajnimi dhe mësimi gjatë gjithë jetës

Germany's educational landscape has undergone significant changes, responding to both labour market needs and technological advances. But the education sector has faced substantial challenges, particularly budget cuts impacting critical areas. Germany's push for digital integration in education, highlighted by the "DigitalPakt Schule" initiative, improved digital infrastructure and literacy. However, despite positive feedback from the Ministry of Education in 2022 and 2023, there are continued regional disparities in digital access, especially in rural areas.[11] With the initiative’s funding ending in May 2024 and other initiatives still under debate, specialists fear that a funding gap could stall digital progress in schools.[12]

Germany's commitment to inclusive education faced scrutiny amid reports of resource shortages and implementation challenges. Despite increased funding for special education and teacher training, questions remain over the effectiveness of these measures. Cuts in the budget for democracy education raised concerns over the fostering of inclusive and democratic learning environments. The budget committee of Germany’s federal parliament reversed a proposed cut of €44.6 million to the Children's and Youth Plan (KJP) for 2024 and instead increased its funding by €4.5 million. The decision followed advocacy efforts highlighting the critical need to maintain support for children and youth, particularly during challenging times that require political education and the strengthening of democratic values.[13] The NSG warns that the recent gender-neutral language ban in Bavarian schools and universities perpetuates gender biases, hinders inclusivity, and undermines efforts to create progressive and welcoming educational environments. In addition, austerity measures, particularly those that affect democracy education, jeopardise holistic educational approaches to address disparities and ensure the resilience of educational initiatives amid evolving demands.

Good practice

The Bürgergeld (Citizens’ Basic Income) reform, effective from July 2023, introduced significant enhancements for continuing education and retraining. In addition to the regular rate of the Citizens’ Basic Income, a monthly Weiterbildungsgeld (Continuing Education Allowance) of €150 for those in vocational training and a bonus of €75 for participating in crucial integration programmes has been introduced. Retraining programmes are now fully covered by the allowance on top of the regular Citizens’ Basic Income development. As a result, unemployed individuals can now start new training programmes without fearing financial instability. This improves their chances of re-entering the labour market on a stable educational foundation.[14]

Inclusion of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, minorities, and vulnerable groups

The employment rate for refugees in Germany tends to improve with the lengths of their stays, the NSG reports. Despite a decline during the first coronavirus wave, the trend remains positive. A study by the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) found that 64% of refugees who arrived in 2015 have jobs and that nearly three-quarters are working full-time. After eight years, 86% of refugee men are employed, surpassing the average for German men (81%). However, only 33% of refugee women are employed. Most employed refugees hold jobs that require qualifications, though many work below their education level. Over half work as skilled workers, and a growing number complete higher education and secure suitable positions. Despite the improvement of refugees’ employment rate over their time spent in Germany, gender disparities persist, and men are much more likely to find work than women even after several years of residence.[15] Children with and without a migrant background already participate at different rates in educational programmes in early childhood, and this gap persists throughout . Young adults with a migrant or refugee background in Germany are less likely to obtain higher education qualifications, and many who immigrated as teenagers or young adults leave school without any qualification.[16] Although the educational participation of children, adolescents and young adults with a migrant background was higher in 2022 than in 2013, it still lags behind that of the population without a migrant background. The NSG notes a trend towards higher school-leaving qualifications among 15-year-olds, particularly among girls with a migrant background. Participation in higher education for people with a migrant background has also increased for both genders in recent years, although it remains higher for women than men.[17]

Attitudes towards immigration in Germany are ambivalent, a report by Bertelsmann-Stiftung shows. There are growing concerns over its potential negative impacts, such as increased welfare costs, housing shortages, and problems in schools.[18] However, a majority of the survey’s respondents believe that both government agencies and the population have a welcoming attitude towards immigrants seeking work or education. Among refugees, 67% perceive local authorities as welcoming, and 53% feel the same about the general public.

[1] Federal Government of Germany (2024): the current cabinet.  https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/federal-cabinet

[2] John Silk/ DW human rights (2023): Germany up to 6th in gender equality list, Iceland stays top

 https://www.dw.com/en/germany-up-to-6th-in-gender-equality-list-iceland-stays-top/a-65988813

[3] European Institute for Gender Equality (2023): Health and knowledge in Germany 2023. https:// eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2023/domain/health/DE, https://eige.europa.eu/gender-equality-index/2023/domain/knowledge/DE

[4] Human Rights Watch (2024): Germany: Landmark Vote for Trans Rights Law. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/04/12/germany-landmark-vote-trans-rights-law

[5] OECD (2023), Joining Forces for Gender Equality: What is Holding us Back?: 67d48024-en.pdf (oecd-ilibrary.org)

[6] Human Rights Watch (2024): Germany: Landmark Vote for Trans Rights Law. https://www.hrw.org/news/2024/04/12/germany-landmark-vote-trans-rights-law

[7] DW (2024): Germany’s Bavaria cracks down on gender-sensitive language. https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-bavaria-sets-limits-on-gender-inclusive-language/a-68618217

[8] Federal Association for Trans* People (2024), Self-Determination Act passed German Parliament. https://www.bundesverband-trans.de/self-determination-act-passed-german-parliament/

[9] ProFamilia (2024), Abortion: https://www.profamilia.de/en/topics/abortion

[10] Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (2022): Pregnancy Counselling. https://www.bmfsfj.de/resource/blob/95278/fdba45aef3ce5557eb1720aa3e215ac8/schwangerschaftsberatung-218-englisch-data.pdf

[11] Federal Ministry for Education and Science (2023): Progress Report DigitalPakt. https://www.digitalpaktschule.de/de/fortschrittsbericht-zum-digitalpakt-schule-2022-2023-1863.html

[12] German School Portal, Robert Bosch Foundation (2024): DigitalPakt 2.0 - Culture ministers criticize federal offer https://deutsches-schulportal.de/bildungswesen/was-hat-der-digitalpakt-schule-bislang-gebracht/

[13] Association for Cultural Education (2023): Bundestag committee reverses cuts to the KJP.   https://www.bkj.de/news/bundestagsausschuss-macht-kuerzungen-im-kjp-rueckgaengig/ 

[14] Federal Agency for Employment (2023), Citizen's income: second stage of the reform to start in July 2023: https://www.arbeitsagentur.de/presse/2023-31-buergergeld-die-zweite-stufe-der-reform-startet-am-01-juli-2023

[15] Institute for labor market research (2024),IAB-Kurzbericht: https://doku.iab.de/kurzber/2024/kb2024-10.pdf#page=2

[16] Expert Council for Integration and Migration (2024), Developments in migration and integration 2019 – 2024:  https://www.svr-migration.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SVR-Factsheet-zum-Jahresgutachten-2024.pdf

[17] Federal Institute for Population Research (2024), Potentials and challenges: New publication illustrates the diversity of the population with a migration background in Germany: https://www.bib.bund.de/DE/Presse/Mitteilungen/2024/2024-02-14-Potenziale-und-Herausforderungen-Vielfalt-der-Bevoelkerung-mit-Migrationshintergrund-in-Deutschland.html

[18] Bertelsmann Foundation (2024), Scepticism on Migration on the rise, but openness to immigrants remains stable: https://www.bertelsmann-stiftung.de/de/themen/aktuelle-meldungen/2024/maerz/migrationsskepsis-steigt-offenheit-fuer-zugewanderte-menschen-bleibt-dennoch-stabil

Balanci jetë-punë

Participants in the 2024 Work Happiness Report, which measures job satisfaction on a scale of one to 10, reported an average score of 6.9 in Germany, a 0.2-point increase from 2023.[1] The report notes that an increasing number of companies are adopting or experimenting with a four-day workweek, which employees have received positively. Those working on this schedule recorded a satisfaction score of 7.6, the highest of all groups. Hybrid working models, under which employees work partly or entirely from home, are widely favoured: eight out of 10 respondents expressed satisfaction with them. A significant proportion of employee dissatisfaction is linked to management, team culture, and communication. Satisfaction is higher in more-modern sectors such as tech than in traditional sectors such as finance. The NSG emphasises that it is crucial to balance work and private life, particularly for families. It points out that governments can support this through flexible working models.[2] Long working hours negatively impact health and increase stress, and only 3.9% of employees in Germany work 50 hours or more per week, below the OECD average of 10.2%. Workers in Germany have more leisure time than average and a higher level of overall wellbeing.

Germany’s 2015 Reconciliation Memorandum builds on earlier charters of the Success Factor Family[3] corporate network, aiming to measure progress in work-life balance, identify challenges, and set guidelines. It promotes equal participation by men and women in the labour market, encourages employers to offer flexible working hours and high-quality childcare, and includes a reform of parental leave. The reform facilitates part-time work and provides financial incentives for both partners to work 25-30 hours per week for at least four months up until the 8th birthday of the child.[4] Recent changes to Germany's parental allowance system, effective from April 2024, include lowering the income threshold for eligibility to €200,000 per year for couples and single parents, thereby excluding higher earners from the benefits. The threshold will be reduced further to €175,000 from April 2025. These changes mean that some higher-income parents can no longer stay at home for an extended period and continue to receive the parental allowance. The standard allowance – for parents below these thresholds – will remain available for 14 months, but these parents can only receive allowances simultaneously for one month of a child's first year of life. Exceptions exist for multiple or premature births and for children with disabilities. The initiative aims to save an annual €250 million by 2026.[5]

[1] Blanco Ucles (2024), Study: German employees happier than in 2023 - working from home an important factor: https://www.merkur.de/leben/karriere/homeoffice-vier-tageswoche-work-happiness-report-studie-arbeitnehmer-gluecklich-zufrieden-zr-93013794.html

[2] IFO Institute (2024), Working from Home Firmly Established in Germany: https://www.ifo.de/en/facts/2024-03-04/working-home-firmly-established-germany

[3] German Ministery for family affairs, senior citizens, women and youth/Success factor family (2015), How to successfully combine family and career: https://www.bmfsfj.de/resource/blob/93930/23bbdbb1475ebb985f533855596d762d/geht-doch-magazin-erfolgsfaktor-familie-ausgabe-4-data.pdf  

[4] OECD Better Life Index: Work-Life Balance Germany. https://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/de/topics/work-life-balance-de/#:~:text=In%20Germany%20have%203%2C9

[5] Tagesschau (2024), News in parental leave: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/elterngeld-120.html

Strehimi

Germany’s housing situation is dire, and there is a shortage of approximately 1.9 million affordable flats from the social housing system in major cities. Construction activity has significantly declined, and projections for 2024 indicate that only 177,000 new flats will be completed, well below the annual target of 400,000. Contributing factors include rising construction costs and interest rates, which are exacerbating the mismatch between housing supply and demand. As the demand for affordable housing rises, there's been a concerning decline in real terms in state subsidies for housing construction. Property industry experts are sounding the alarm over a severe downturn in housing construction, attributing it to burdensome state levies and inadequate subsidies. Projections suggest a deficit of 830,000 flats by 2027 (which is currently of 600,000 flats outside of the social housing system), which could exacerbate existing social issues. The Ifo Institute's forecast of an annual 35 % decrease in new home builds by 2026 underscores the gravity of the situation.[1] The approval of new residential units has declined substantially, recent figures indicate, particularly for multifamily homes. The decline reflects the ongoing struggle to meet housing needs amidst regulatory and economic challenges.[2] Some promising solutions to the housing challenges are emerging, such as serial construction using prefabricated components, which can save up to 10% in costs. In cities such as Munich, municipal initiatives have surpassed housing construction targets.

To address Germany's housing challenges, the NSG  calls for coordinated efforts by government, construction companies, cities, municipalities, and other stakeholders in the sector.[3] The federal government aims to increase living space through measures including the following: addressing municipal pre-emption rights to protect tenants, incentivising non-profit housing associations with tax benefits, combating homelessness with a national action plan till 2030, promoting serial housing construction to accelerate and reduce costs, and introducing special regulations to fast-track housing projects in constrained markets.[4]

[1] ZDF Heute (2024), “building today will make you bankrupt“: https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/wirtschaft/immobilien-ausschuss-wohnungsmangel-deutschland-102.html

[2] DeStatis (2024), Building permits for apartments in February 2024: -18.3 % compared to the same month last year: https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2024/04/PD24_156_3111.html#:~:text=WIESBADEN%20%E2%80%93%20Im%20Februar%202024%20wurde,weniger%20als%20im%20Februar%202023

[3] ToPeople Frankfurt (2024), Residential construction in Germany in 2024: a crisis in sight?: https://www.topeople.de/post/wohnungsbau-in-deutschland-2024-eine-krise

[4] Höcke (2024), Governments plans for residential construction in 2024: https://www.demo-online.de/artikel/ampel-2024-baupolitik-plant

The CIVICUS Monitor classifies Germany's civic space as "Narrowed," a downgrade introduced in 2023 from the “Open” status it had held since 2018.[1] The Narrowed classification indicates that, while individuals and civil society organizations can exercise their rights to freedom of association, peaceful assembly, and expression, these rights are often violated through harassment, arrests, or assaults against the critics of those in power, as well as through excessive force during protests and political pressure on the media. The downgrade from Open was mainly due to a large number of attacks on journalists and the use of excessive force against environmental activists.

Civil dialogue and democratic participation

While political engagement has made progress in Germany, challenges persist in ensuring equitable representation and inclusivity for all voices. Over the last year, political engagement has been heightened because of European and regional (state) elections, but some groups found challenges when seeking to participate meaningfully in policymaking. Leading up to the European elections, political engagement in Germany surged, as politicians intensified efforts to connect with citizens. This proactive approach aimed to sway voter opinion and to foster deeper public involvement in shaping policies and priorities. Despite criticisms that these efforts were strategically timed for the elections, they provided important opportunities for civil society to voice concerns and influence political decision-making. As a result, civic participation increased, civil dialogue proliferated, and the public exchange of ideas became more robust.[2] Moreover, civil society in Germany actively participated in events such as the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in April 2024, highlighting the country’s commitment to addressing global challenges through inclusive civil dialogue. This event, attended by representatives from over 40 countries, underscored Germany’s role in promoting international cooperation on critical issues such as climate action.[3] [4] The use of digital platforms for civil dialogue has also expanded, facilitating broader participation in civil society discussions. The NSG notes that offers to engage in events online trough digital platforms have remained high since the Covid pandemic. Dialogue events for civil society with high-level German politicians celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Grundgesetz (Germany’s constitution). Calls for interest in German for applying for the EU-funded CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) programme further made these initiatives accessible.[5] [6]

Despite these positive trends, certain groups in Germany continued to feel marginalised and excluded from civil dialogue. Activists advocating a ceasefire in Palestine, for instance, faced significant challenges in gaining traction and securing platforms for their voices to be heard. Despite organising strikes and protests, these groups often struggled to engage with policymakers or receive media coverage, highlighting a significant gap in the inclusivity of civil dialogue.[7] Critics pointed out that, while online platforms increased accessibility, they also risked excluding those without reliable internet access or digital literacy. In addition, the complexity of EU funding applications and bureaucratic processes sometimes hindered smaller civil society organizations from obtaining resources needed to fully participate in civil dialogue initiatives – or just to survive.

[1] Civicus (2023), Germany: https://monitor.civicus.org/country/germany/

[2] Citizen participation network (2024), Network Meeting June 2024: New scope for action for

civil society, administration and politics: https://www.netzwerkbuergerbeteiligung.de/netzwerkaktivitaeten-informationen/netzwerktreffen-termine/

[3] SDG Knowledge Hub (2024), 15th Petersberg Climate Dialogue: https://sdg.iisd.org/events/15th-petersberg-climate-dialogue/

[4] Table Briefings (2024), Petersberg Dialogue: 40 states and COP Troika in April: https://table.media/en/climate/news/petersberg-climate-dialogue-40-states-and-cop-troika-in-berlin-on-april-25-and-26/

[5] Federal Government (2024), Citizens' Dialogue with Chancellor Scholz on the occasion of 75 years of the constitution: https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/suche/75-jahregrundgesetz-buergerdialog-kanzler-dgs-2287776

[6] Service Centre CERV, Call for Project Proposals: https://www.kontaktstelle-cerv.de/aufrufe/kommunale-partnerschaften-37

[7] DW (2024), German police shut down pro-Palestinian conference: https://www.dw.com/en/german-police-shutdown-pro-palestinian-conference/a-68810306

Energy access and poverty

The German government is making efforts to accelerate the energy transition as part of its goal to achieve climate neutrality by 2045. In 2023, Germany achieved a milestone in renewable energy usage, as renewable sources covered nearly half of electricity consumption. This marked the highest share ever recorded in Germany and was driven primarily by an increased number of onshore wind turbines. The amount of electricity generated from conventional sources, particularly hard coal and lignite, declined. Despite challenges from the weather, ongoing expansion efforts bolstered the contribution from solar energy. The German government is responding to the escalating costs of climate change with substantial investment in adaptation measures and climate protection, allocating approximately €49 billion to these from the Climate and Transformation Fund in 2024. To bolster solar energy expansion, the Renewable Energy Sources Act 2023 (EEG) streamlines approval processes for new installations and provides enhanced financial incentives through Solar Package I, a series of measures to simplify regulations and improve solar energy systems across Germany.[1] This resulted in additional solar capacity in 2023, and the government is aiming for further increases up to 2030.

Russia’s war on Ukraine caused significant price increases in Germany and the rest of the EU, particularly in energy and food. The German government responded with relief packages, including energy price brakes that expired at the end of 2023. Subsequent shifts to alternative energy suppliers and the increased use of renewables helped lower electricity and gas prices even further. Energy savings by households and businesses in 2022 and 2023 also contributed to the reduction. In addition, electricity customers have been exempted from paying the EEG surcharge since July 2022, saving approximately €130 annually for an average multi-person household.

However, the energy transition in Germany faces several social challenges. Firstly, rising energy costs have become a burden for many households, particularly those on lower incomes. Secondly, there is a disparity in the distribution of the costs of the transition: some companies and households are relieved of some of the costs, while others – especially poorer households – have to pay more. [2]  Thirdly, higher energy expenses can significantly impact the quality of life for vulnerable households, forcing them to make difficult choices in their spending.[3] Moreover, defining and measuring energy poverty remains complex and lacks a standardized approach to encompass factors such as health impacts and subjective experiences.[4] Lastly, although the EEG aims to make renewable energy production more cost-effective, concerns persist over whether it will be implemented equitably.[5] These issues highlight the need for policies that ensure fairness and social justice throughout Germany's shift towards sustainable energy.

Qasja në lëvizshmëri të qëndrueshme dhe varfëri në transport

Over the past year, Germany has announced several developments in sustainable mobility. Firstly, the transition from the €9 ticket to the Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) which costs €49 a month in 2023 aimed to provide a sustainable and affordable long-term solution for public transport throughout Germany by offering nationwide validity. It proved successful after practical testing. The Germany Ticket helped to reduce car journeys, but future funding is a challenge. There are also concerns over potential service reductions due to rising operating costs, highlighting the need for improved public transport infrastructure and a more comprehensive consideration of the environmental impacts of transport.[6] However, efforts to enhance sustainable transportation, such as investing in cycling infrastructure and shared mobility solutions, are facing setbacks. For example, the 2024 federal budget includes significant cuts to funding for cycling infrastructure. These cuts are expected to hinder the nation's progress towards becoming more bicycle-friendly and could disrupt local mobility initiatives.[7] The recent debate over the Highway 100 (A 100) expansion in Berlin underscores the conflict in urban planning between infrastructure development and cultural preservation. Its construction could potentially impact vibrant cultural venues and clubs and has drawn massive criticism.[8]

Despite efforts to promote electric mobility, German electric vehicle registrations dropped significantly in early 2024. This was attributed partly to the government’s abrupt discontinuation of tax incentives for electric vehicles in December 2023.[9]  Germany's decision to oppose the EU's proposal to ban new combustion engine cars from 2035 stirred controversy. The German government cited concerns over economic impacts and the readiness of alternatives such as electric vehicles and synthetic fuels, highlighting the difficulty of balancing environmental objectives and economic priorities.[10]

Good practice

The Deutschlandticket (Germany Ticket) promotes sustainable mobility by encouraging public transport over cars, thus reducing congestion and emissions. Its nationwide accessibility enhances travel convenience, but it needs to be made more affordable to widen its appeal. Public transport networks support environmental sustainability and enhance the quality of life, but long-term funding is crucial to sustain and expand them, particularly in rural areas.

[1] Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (2024), Bundestag and Bundesrat adopt Solar Package I: https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/EN/Pressemitteilungen/2024/04/20240426-bundestag-and-bundesrat-adopt-solar-package-i.html

[2] Federal Government (2024), Climate Action Programme 2030:

https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/issues/climate-action

[3] Wille/Klimareporter (2021), Energy Transition is healthy: https://www.klimareporter.de/gesellschaft/die-energiewende-ist-gesund

[4] Epp/University of Heidelberg (2017),The development of energy poverty in Germany -

A critical discussion of measurement concepts:  https://www.uni-heidelberg.de/md/sai/wiw/masterarbeit_homepage.pdf

[5] Heindl et al./Economic Policy Journal (2014), Is the energy Transition socially just: https://www.wirtschaftsdienst.eu/inhalt/jahr/2014/heft/7/beitrag/ist-die-energiewende-sozial-gerecht.html

[6] ZDF Heute (2023), 100 days of ”Deutschlandticket” - 9 vs. 49 Euro: can the new ticket compete?: https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/deutschland/deutschlandticket-erfolg-9-euro-ticket-100.html

[7] German Bicycle Association (2023), Budget cuts for cycling in the federal budget jeopardize climate protection goals: https://nrw.adfc.de/artikel/budgetkuerzung-bundeshaushalt-1

[8] RBB (2023), “A city center area without clubs is unworthy of Berlin”: https://www.rbb24.de/panorama/beitrag/2023/05/weiterbau-a100-berlin-clubs-verdraengung-clubkultur-ostkreuz.html

[9] Bell/Carscoops (2024), EV Sales drop in Germany: https://www.carscoops.com/2024/04/q1-ev-sales-drop-14-1-percent-in-germany-tesla-sales-tumble-37-percent/

[10] Wehrmann/Clean Energy Wire (2024), Germanys conservatives double down on criticism of EUs planned 2035 combustion engine phase-out: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/germanys-conservatives-double-down-criticism-eus-planned-2035-combustion-engine-phase-out