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

From an educational perspective, Yoana holds an academic background in Business, Accounting, and Law. She has gained work experience in both government institutions and the private sector. Furthermore, from a volunteering perspective, she has participated in several projects and memberships. She was the representative and founder of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Green Garden Roof Tops’. The vision of this ECI was centred on climate change mitigation and thereby preserving and protecting human rights. She has also served as a PGR Buddy for students under the ‘Buddy Scheme’ at the university, was selected as one of the PGR representatives for the Department of Politics and International Relations, and served as the PhD representative for the International Studies Research Cluster. In 2025, she was selected as a European Climate Pact Ambassador in Germany.

Publications

• 'Why I became a PGR Buddy' | PGR Buddy Scheme | Blog Post. 
• Part of - 'Peace and Security in 2022' - Overview of EU action and outlook for the future | European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) | Research and Writing: In particular preparing drafts of the sections on: EU budget for 2022; EU Peace Facility; EU measures and the Russian war in Ukraine. 
• 'For a Brighter Future, For a Greener Europe' | European Citizens’ Initiative Forum (European Union) | Blog Post as part of the ECI.
• 'Lost Money in Tax Havens - The Political and Economic Interest in Europe' | Master Thesis.