In Switzerland and Germany, governments have decided to pursue the so-called “Energiewende” (energy transition). These policies should enable the transition from a non-sustainable use of fossil energy and nuclear energy to a more sustainable energy supply through renewable energies. In the United States of America, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed the Clean Power Plan. The Plan seeks to decrease carbon emissions by implementing energy efficiency, using fossil fuels strategically, and increasing the use of renewables. From the Law and Economics perspective, a range of questions arises: to what extent is it justifiable to rely on markets and continued technological innovation, especially in relation to the present exploitation of scarce resources? To what extent is it necessary for states to intervene in energy markets? If regulation in a certain legal field is necessary, which policies and methods will most effectively spur sustainable consumption and production of energy in order to protect the environment while mitigating any potential negative impact on economic development? Do neoclassical and behavioral economics provide us with a framework capable of predicting the market’s complex reactions to energy policy? The aim of this conference is to bring together researchers from multiple disciplines such as law, economics, and philosophy to discuss, and perhaps answer, these vital questions.

Programme