GREEN ENERGY TRANSITION: Conflicts and alternatives in and from Latin America in discussion with churches, science, politics and civil society

Against the backdrop of the climate and energy crisis, societies around the world are facing a transformation towards post-fossil energy production. This is changing existing raw material requirements. Many of the raw materials needed in the future are stored in Latin America. At the same time, the region offers potential for the expansion of large-scale wind and solar energy plants.

If the global energy transition is to succeed, the fossil raw material base of the global economy will have to change fundamentally. Electric cars need copper and lithium, photovoltaics require silicon and wind turbines can only be built using rare earths. This change will have an impact on ecosystems, the use of land and sea areas, and the political, institutional and social fabric of the region. Some Latin American countries will have to forego foreign currency from oil and gas sales, while other countries will be able to multiply their income thanks to copper or lithium reserves. What domestic conflicts will arise? How will the international division of labor change in the context of the energy transition and growing geopolitical rivalries over secure access to the "new" strategic resources? It is already clear that the energy transition in Germany and Europe is dependent on raw materials, land and labor from regions of the world such as Latin America.

The conference will discuss the far-reaching implications of "green" interdependencies in Latin America. Experts from academia, politics and civil society will discuss future solution strategies.

Further event details, as well as information on registration and the complete program can be found on the website of the Hofgeismar Academy.