SRLE Position on Energy Price Hikes and Rural Areas

The sharp rise in energy prices affects people and businesses everywhere in Germany. However, individual characteristics of the settlement, social and economic structure indicate that rural areas are specifically affected. These include higher heating costs in residential buildings, longer distances, poorer public transport options and greater reliance on automobiles. Rural  areas offer lower home office potential and reflect a greater importance of energy-intensive industries, but also have better opportunities to produce renewable energies. "The Advisory Council on Rural Development recommends a) to keep the concerns of rural areas specifically in mind, b) to provide targeted support to people and companies that are particularly affected, c) to provide sufficient support to small and medium-sized enterprises in the energy crisis, and d) to take advantage of the opportunities for renewable energy production," says Prof. Dr. Peter Weingarten, head of the Thünen Institute of  Rural Studies and member of the SRLE.

The statement is available here (only German).