PETER HANNICKE

Germany

The winner of WIN WIN Gothenburg Sustainability Award 2014 on the theme Solar Energy & Energy Efficiency was Peter Hannicke, together with Jeremy Leggett and Beate Weber Schuerholtz.

Dr. Peter Hennicke has a background in chemistry and economics, a postdoctoral qualification in Economic Policy with emphasis on Energy Policy from the University of Osnabrück, and is called Germany’s ”bishop” within energy efficiency. He has been a pioneer of the energy transition, die Energiwende. Already in 1985, Peter Hennicke wrote the book “Die Energiewende ist möglich”.

Moreover, Dr. Hennicke has held posts such as head of the leading Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, has worked for the UN and is today a member of the Club of Rome.

Peter Hennicke’s research and participation in governmental expert groups has greatly influenced the country’s development. He has clarified to decision makers at various levels that it requires a combination of renewable energy and energy efficiency for an energy transition to take place. Even more, Peter Hennicke has managed to pinpoint and voice the several benefits to the society that may follow from such a transition. By managing to transfer these insights to an important audience of decision-makers Peter Hennicke has inspired those who have the power to take the important steps towards sustainability.