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Collaboration Wageningen University and Ecofys for ground-breaking research on energy and climate policies

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October 30, 2012

Wageningen University and Ecofys strengthen their collaboration by appointing Dr. Niklas Höhne as associate professor for energy and climate policies in the Environmental System Analysis Group of the Environmental Science Department. “This partnership between Wageningen University and Ecofys would allow ground-breaking new research in the broad area of energy and climate policies,” says Rik Leemans, chair holder of the Environmental System Analysis Group.

The activities will combine the many individual experts and research groups at Wageningen University related to this topic with the broad expertise of Ecofys into comprehensive research. It will include the qualitative and quantitative assessment of energy and climate policies and action. It will cover policies and action by international organisations, national governments and sub-national governments, organisations and other actors that affect greenhouse gas emissions. The research would identify best practice and analyse whether currently implemented actions and policies are sufficient to preventing “dangerous interference with the climate system”. Ecofys would provide the expertise related to detailed knowledge of the operation of the UN climate negotiations and policies in the energy sector, Wageningen University related to non-CO2 emissions and forestry. The topics currently covered of the two organisations are strongly complementary.

Niklas Höhne continues as Director of Energy and Climate Policies at Ecofys. His work will strengthen the ties between Ecofys and Wageningen University.

Background Dr. Niklas Höhne

Dr. Niklas Höhne is Director of Energy and Climate Policy at Ecofys. Since joining Ecofys in 2001, he has led numerous studies related to the international climate change negotiations, the Kyoto Mechanisms and climate policies. For example, he led several evaluations of countries’ performances in climate policies. He created the Climate Action Tracker that tracks commitments and actions of countries under the Cancun Agreements. He holds a PhD from the University of Utrecht on "What is next after the Kyoto Protocol - Assessment of options for international climate policy post 2012". His work on sharing the effort of reducing emissions between countries led to the IPCC statement that developed countries would need to reduce emissions by 25% to 40% in 2020 compared to 1990 to be compatible with limiting global temperature increase to 2°C. Before joining Ecofys he was a staff member of the UNFCCC secretariat (1998 to 2001), where he supported the climate negotiations on various issues, including reporting under the Kyoto Protocol, projections of greenhouse gas emissions, fluorinated greenhouse gases and emissions from international transport.

Background Wageningen University - Environmental Science Department

The Environmental Systems Analysis group at Wageningen University focuses on integrated assessments, which cover a broad range of environmental change and sustainability issues. In particular its ‘societal and environmental change’, and ‘nutrient cycling and pollution management’ themes focus on integrated pollution analysis and management.  Topics include the integration of global warming policies with air pollution, modelling and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions and sinks, in particular CO2, methane and N2O, and uncertainties in environmental modelling and assessment. The focus is on integration and non-CO2 greenhouse gases and less on the classical energy emissions and policies. The Earth System Science and Climate Change Group at Wageningen University focuses on impacts and adaptation, as well as carbon and methane cycles.

Background Ecofys – Experts in Energy

Established in 1984 with the mission of achieving “sustainable energy for everyone”, Ecofys has become the leading expert in renewable energy, energy & carbon efficiency, energy systems & markets as well as energy & climate policies. The unique synergy between those areas of expertise is the key to its success. Ecofys creates smart, effective, practical and sustainable solutions for and with public and corporate clients all over the world. With offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, China and the US, Ecofys employs over 250 experts dedicated to solving energy and climate challenges.