- Department of Politics and International Relations
- People
- Postgraduate researchers
- Sade, Weymann Almog Yoana
Yoana Almog Weymann Sade
Research
Title of research
Understanding the Role of Regulatory Frameworks, Regional Differences, and Corporate Involvement in Shaping Solar Energy Policies in Germany and the EU.
Brief overview of research topic:
The impact of climate change on our current daily life, as well as on global businesses and the economy, are noticeable. It creates conflicts and dilemmas for states, governments and international organisations. As the purpose is supposed to be protecting our existence on earth, which means protecting our environment, there is a need to make changes and adopt new and alternative approaches of the existing prevailing laws and regulations, political systems and financial systems which will affect our global economy and society as a whole. In order to make any change, it comes back to the decision-making that we decide on, which has significant consequences and effects. Therefore, understanding how decision-making takes place and who are the parties involved in this process is highly significant. The problem this paper tries to address is the gap existing between decision-making as proposed and enforcement in practice. In order to address this, my research will study the EU Solar Energy Strategy under the REPowerEU Plan, established in 2022. I will examine how this strategy was transferred from the EU level to the Member States. I will focus on Germany as a case study and discover how this strategy was enforced and influenced at the national level. Taking into account the important factor of the industry in a political and economic system within one state, I will explore the involvement of different parties in decision-making within a governmental and parliamentary process. With this in mind, I will study what occurs after decision-making takes place, which actors were involved, the challenges following it, and what the effects and impacts are. I will investigate on two levels: first, the policy decision-making formulation, process, and procedures and the actors involved in it, on an EU and national level. Secondly, the implementation and enforcement in practice within the Member State.
Qualifications
Yoana has an interdisciplinary academic background spanning Business, Law, Politics, International Relations, Economics, and Environmental Studies. Alongside her academic work, she has gained professional experience across governmental institutions and the private sector, contributing to an interdisciplinary profile that bridges academic research, policy, and practice.
Beyond her academic and professional work, Yoana has been actively involved in a range of European, university, and community initiatives, taking on leadership, representative, and organisational roles. She was the founder and representative of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Green Garden Rooftops’, which focused on climate change mitigation and the preservation and protection of human rights.
At the University of York, she served as a PGR Buddy under the University’s Buddy Scheme, was selected as a PGR Representative for the Department of Politics and International Relations, and served as PhD Representative for the International Studies Research Cluster. In 2025, Yoana was selected as a European Climate Pact Ambassador for Germany.
In 2026, she was selected as Co-Chair of the Pact Community Café ‘Energy & Climate Mitigation’ Cluster, as part of the European Climate Pact launched by the European Commission. In this role, together with a fellow Ambassador from the Netherlands, she coordinates and organises monthly activities for members of the European Climate Pact community across Europe, including lectures, workshops, and events.
Through these and other academic and professional activities, Yoana has developed experience in organising and coordinating lectures, workshops, and events, leading workshops, moderating discussions, and speaking and presenting across academic, public, and private-sector organisations.
Her academic and professional interests span policy-making, governance, international relations, diplomacy, conflict resolution, democracy, defence and security, and climate and energy governance. Her vision and motivation are to apply her interdisciplinary knowledge and experience to contribute to politics, policy and decision-making processes, with the aim of supporting positive change and contributing to the wider good of society.
Publications
Publications & Research Contributions
- 'Why Legislation Matters in Times of Global Climate Crisis' | E-International Relations (E-IR) | 26 January 2026
- 'Peace and Security in 2022: Overview of EU Action and Outlook for the Future' | European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) | European Parliament | Research and writing contribution, including preparation of drafts concerning the EU budget for 2022, the European Peace Facility, and EU measures in response to Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Articles & Blog Posts
- 'For a Brighter Future, For a Greener Europe' | European Citizens’ Initiative Forum, European Union | Blog post published as part of the European Citizens’ Initiative 'Green Garden Rooftops'.
- 'Why I Became a PGR Buddy' | PGR Buddy Scheme - Blog post | University of York.
Academic Research
- 'Lost Money in Tax Havens: The Political and Economic Interest in Europe' | Master’s Thesis | Maastricht University.
Connections
Yoana is supervised by Dr Jappe Eckhardt and Dr Julia Touza-Montero