Whitepaper: Uncertainty, Bureaucracy and Transformation Anxiety – Challenges Facing Thuringia’s Economy in the Energy Transition of the Thuringian Industrial Sector

The project Decarbonization for Accelerating a Resilient Economy (DekaRB) has published its first whitepaper. The publication presents initial interim results from 44 expert interviews conducted in and around Thuringia’s industrial regions. Researchers, business representatives, interest groups and policymakers were asked about the most significant current obstacles to decarbonization processes in Thuringia’s industrial sector. The paper highlights structural, social and political influencing factors as non-technical barriers to transformation and outlines initial solution approaches for a socially and ecologically sustainable transition.

Key Findings

Thuringia aims to achieve climate-neutral production by 2045. Priority is given to measures such as substituting fossil energy sources, increasing efficiency and expanding circular economy practices. Although the state has already made progress – such as achieving a high share of renewable energies in its own electricity generation – it remains dependent on external energy sources and investors, and regional disparities in the implementation of decarbonization measures are substantial.

Companies often face political uncertainties, bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of planning security. Deficits in public participation and growing mistrust among the population further hinder progress. The whitepaper shows that social anxieties and perceptions of injustice – such as concerns about job security or the distribution of energy transition costs – can lead to resistance and conflict, which are further exacerbated by political polarization.

Conclusion

Decarbonization succeeds where politics, business, science and civil society collaborate closely. The whitepaper identifies strong networks, transparent communication and genuine public participation as promising approaches and key success factors. Clear government strategies, a fair distribution of costs and benefits, and the involvement of intermediary organizations to foster dialogue and implementation also emerge as central levers.

Outlook

In the further course of the project, DekaRB will use these interim findings to conduct case studies in selected industrial regions of Thuringia, with the aim of developing concrete recommendations for action and implementation strategies. The goal is to outline practical pathways for shaping decarbonization in a socially just, economically viable and regionally coherent way.