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European Institute for Climate and Energy

European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE)

Background

Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie (EIKE), the European Institute for Climate and Energy in English, is a German climate change denial organization founded in February 2007 in Hanover.1Kate Aronoff. “Denial by a Different Name,” The Intercept, April 17, 2018. Archived May 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/bqOwR

The group hosts a conference on climate change in Europe, which brings many of the same speakers as the Heartland Institute’s International Conference on Climate Change in the US. EIKE has also co-hosted the Heartland Institute‘s conferences in the past.

EIKE’s slogan is “Nicht das Klima ist bedroht, sondern unsere Freiheit! Umweltschutz: Ja! Klimaschutz: Nein,” which roughly translates to “The climate is not at risk, but our freedom! Environmental protection: Yes! Climate protection: No.”2Homepage, Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie. Archived October 30, 2015. Translated with  Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/1vGgd

EIKE “rejects any ‘climate policy’” that would cause increases in takes while supporting the creation of “policy initiatives” by “providing scientific expertise. Holger J. Thuss, president of EIKE, is also the co-founder of CFACT Europe. EIKE’s general secretary, Wolfgang Müller, is responsible for the Climate Change Programme of CFACT.3“About EIKE,” EIKE – Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie. Archived October 30, 2015.Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vjEIl 4“Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie,” SourceWatch Profile. Archived October 30, 2015. 

Alternative for Germany (AfD) & Heartland Institute Connections

In May 2019, Spiegel reported EIKE was working closely with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Spiegel notes that “EIKE is not a scientific institute, but merely an association. There are no legal restrictions on the term ‘institute.’”5“AfD Hopes to Win Votes by Opposing Climate Protection,” Spiegel Online, May 6, 2019. Archived May 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/yH28p

“On its website, the group argues that climate policy is a ‘pretense’ for leaders to ‘control the economy and the population’ and to “burden people with taxes,” Spiegel ads. “It tries to stir up hatred against the ‘Friday for Future’ demonstrations and against Greta Thunberg, who some EIKE members refer to as ‘Greta Tuna’ or that ‘climate protection hussy.’ As far as institutes go, this one only seems to churn out unsophisticated propaganda.”6“AfD Hopes to Win Votes by Opposing Climate Protection,” Spiegel Online, May 6, 2019. Archived May 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/yH28p

Michael Limburg of EIKE claimed by phone that ”EIKE is unaffiliated with any political party.” However, “Limburg himself ran as an AfD candidate in the national election in Gerany and co-wrote a paper for the party’s federal committee on energy policy, which now serves as the basis for the party’s climate policy. EIKE spokesperson Horst-Joachim Lüdecke, a physicist, was invited by the AfD as an expert on multiple occasions.”7“AfD Hopes to Win Votes by Opposing Climate Protection,” Spiegel Online, May 6, 2019. Archived May 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/yH28p

Spiegel also highlights EIKE’s connection to the Heartland Institute, which “which provides EIKE with support at conferences.” When asked about the ties to Heartland, Limburg confirmed that EIKE was “loosely connected” to both Heartland and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). Both groups have recieved significant funding from both the oil industry (over $500,000 apiece from ExxonMobil) and right-wing foundations like the Mercers and Koch Family Foundations.8“AfD Hopes to Win Votes by Opposing Climate Protection,” Spiegel Online, May 6, 2019. Archived May 7, 2019. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/yH28p

Stance on Climate Change

“The assertion of ‘man-made climate change’ is not justified as a science and therefore a fraud.”9“About EIKE,” EIKE – Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie. Archived October 30, 2015.Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vjEIl

“In a comprehensive examination … we have no justifiable causal CO2 global warming, but periodic temperature fluctuations [of] normal proportions. Accordingly, the atmosphere since 1998 – so for 10 years – [has] not warmed since 2003 and it is actually much cooler again.”10“Climate Change: An Open Letter to Chancellor Merkel – ‘refute temperature measurements from 1701 human-caused temperature fluctuations’,” EIKE, July 26, 2009. Archived February 1, 2011. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ypShk

Funding

According to their website, EIKE is funded by voluntary contributions from its members and donations.11“About EIKE,” EIKE – Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie. Archived October 30, 2015.Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/vjEIl

SourceWatch reports that EIKE denies ever receiving funding from the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT).12“Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie,” SourceWatch Profile. Archived October 30, 2015. 

Key People

EIKE listed the following people on their website as of October, 2015:13“Imprint,” EIKE. Archived October 30, 2015. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Y7Dat

In the past (as of 2011), EIKE also listed Wolfgang Müller as its General Secretary.14“IV. Internationale Klimaund Energiekonferenz” (PDF), EIKE. November 26, 2011. Archived .pdf on file at DeSmog.

Advisory Board

According to EIKE’s website,  Advisory Board Members include:15“Advisory Board,” EIKE. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/iWcnE

Actions

December 3, 2019

EIKE co-sponsored a rebuttal to the United Nations’ COP25 climate summit in Madrid. The event, titled “Rebutting the United Nations’ Climate Delusion,” was held in collaboration with the Heartland Institute, the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), and the CO2 Coalition. Deniers of consensus climate science in attendance included William Happer, EIKE’s Wolfgang Müller, Anthony Watts, Tom Harris, Stanley Goldenberg, and Christopher Monckton.16Alex Newman. “Skeptics Bring Science to UN,” The New American, December 6, 2019. Archived December 7, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/wip/qd7ui. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

Heartland’s James Taylor described the event as a “climate reality forum,” and said:17Alex Newman. “Skeptics Bring Science to UN,” The New American, December 6, 2019. Archived December 7, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/wip/qd7ui. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

“Good news isn’t bad news. […] The evidence for a climate crisis simply doesn’t hold up. And that is not about attacking science, as many people would lead you to believe. It’s performing science, it’s advancing science. And again the news is good news, and that’s excellent for humanity, it’s excellent for people around the world, who would like to escape poverty and not be held down by energy restrictions imposed by the United Nations and national governments.”18Alex Newman. “Skeptics Bring Science to UN,” The New American, December 6, 2019. Archived December 7, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/wip/qd7ui. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

William Happer, a former member of President Trump’s National Security Council, opened his presentation with:

“We are here under false pretenses, wasting our time talking about a non-existent climate emergency. And It’s hard to understand how much further the shrillness can go, as this started out as global warming, then it was climate change or global weirding, now it is climate crisis and climate emergency, what next, but stick around, it will happen. I hope sooner or later enough people recognize the phoniness of this bizarre environmental cult and bring it to an end.”19Alex Newman. “Skeptics Bring Science to UN,” The New American, December 6, 2019. Archived December 7, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/wip/qd7ui. Archived .mp4 on file at DeSmog.

May 14, 2019

EIKE promoted a climate change denial symposium held in the German parliament and coordinated by the far-right AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) party, which won seats in the Bundestag in 2017. Featured speakers at the event included Christopher Monckton, Thomas Wysmuller, Gernot Patzelt, and Henrik Svensmark.20Kate Connolly. “Germany’s AfD turns on Greta Thunberg as it embraces climate denial,” The Guardian, May 14, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/GM8XL 21Von Edgar L. Gärtner. “14. Mai 2019 – Bundestagsabgeordnete setzen Fakten gegen CO2-Hysterie und Klima-Aktionismus,” eike-klima-energie.eu, May 4, 2019. Archived May 9, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.fo/LrXgy

EIKE president Holger Thuss denied that his organization was supporting AfD’s event in spite of the fact that it was promoted on EIKE’s website to “set facts against CO2 hysteria and climate activism.”22Kate Connolly. “Germany’s AfD turns on Greta Thunberg as it embraces climate denial,” The Guardian, May 14, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/GM8XL 23Von Edgar L. Gärtner. “14. Mai 2019 – Bundestagsabgeordnete setzen Fakten gegen CO2-Hysterie und Klima-Aktionismus,” eike-klima-energie.eu, May 4, 2019. Archived May 9, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.fo/LrXgy

The AfD accelerated its promotion of climate change denial since the emergence of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg in August 2018. A smear campaign against Thunberg mocked her autism as a form of “psychosis” and compared her to a cult leader and a member of a Nazi youth organization. AfD attributed Thunberg’s popularity to the work of “PR professionals seeking to bedevil the plant-nutrient carbon dioxide.”24Kate Connolly. “Germany’s AfD turns on Greta Thunberg as it embraces climate denial,” The Guardian, May 14, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/GM8XL 25Jonathan Watts. “Great Thunberg, schoolgirl climate change warrior: ‘Some people can let things go. I can’t’,” The Guardian, March 11, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.fo/PItiG

An investigation conducted by Greenpeace Unearthed and the Institute of Strategic Dialogue revealed that AfD’s social media posts attacking climate change science in general and Greta Thunberg in particular nearly quadrupled in the weeks prior to the May 14 symposium.26Damian Kahya. “German far right targets Greta Thunberg in anti-climate push,” Unearthed, May 14, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.fo/ooUG4

Speaking to the Guardian, a representative of Greenpeace Germany said of the event:

“The AfD is using the Bundestag as a stage for its dissemination of climate lies. They invite fake experts to a so-called symposium on climate change to generate content for mass dissemination via social media channels and stir up hatred and anger on the internet. We are experiencing a shift to the right on social media and in society. In a short period of time, the new right has established its own counter-society on climate issues. With troll armies, agitating magazines and the support of climate skeptics like EIKE, it has created its own sphere that is massively underestimated.”27Kate Connolly. “Germany’s AfD turns on Greta Thunberg as it embraces climate denial,” The Guardian, May 14, 2019. Archived May 16, 2019. Archive.is URL: http://archive.is/GM8XL

November 23–24, 2018

EIKE hosted its 12th International Conference on Climate and Energy (12. Internationale Klima- und Energiekonferenz), also billed as the Heartland Institute’s 13th International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC13). The Heartland Institute‘s sponsorship of the event was also noted in a press release by Heartland’s director of communications Jim Lakely and amplified by the State Policy Network. Video coverage of the event (see day 1) was streamed via EIKE’s YouTube channel.28“Program – 12th International Climate and Energy Conference” EIKE. Translated via Google Translate. Archived November 23, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/NndcT 29“Heartland Institute goes to Europe to correct the climate record at COP-24,” State Policy Network, November 13, 2018. Archived November 23, 2018. Archive.fo URL: https://archive.fo/vleWK

Speakers included:

November 2017

EIKE hosted its 11th International Conference on Climate and Energy in Düsseldorf, co-sponsored by the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT). The conference took place shortly before the offical United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn, Germany.  According to the conference program, notable speakers included:30“11th International Conference on Climate and Energy,” EIKE. Archived May 7, 2017. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/J7W2R 31“11th International Conference on Climate and Energy” (PDF), EIKE.

The Intercept mentioned the conference in a 2018 article, noting it was billed as “Contra-COP23.” “Given that this is Europe, it’s not a huge crowd,” Kate Aronoff reported. Describing Richard Muller’s presentation, she wrote “Müller’s own scientific rationale may make no sense, but his conclusion is easy on the conscience: Relax, everything will be OK. Another version of that message is being marketed across COP23.”32“Denialism b y a Different Name,” The Intercept, April 17, 2018. Archived May 7, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/bqOwR

According to Aronoff, who spoke with conference attendees and organizers, they were “remarkably self-aware about their lack of influence.”  Muller, EIKE“s general secretary, said that the first year they held the conference Greenpeace showed up to protest. “Now they don’t come, which is kind of disappointing because we would like the press attention,” Muller said. He also noted that the media in Germany had largely ignored their point of view.  “They act as if we don’t exist,” he said.33“Denialism b y a Different Name,” The Intercept, April 17, 2018. Archived May 7, 2018. Archive.is URL: https://archive.li/bqOwR

February 3, 2015

EIKEs Jürgen Langeheine released a study suggesting that global temperatures are dropping which “do not match with the carbon dioxide hypothesis.”34Jürgen Langeheine. “Heat balance of the earth and global temperature change,” EIKE, February 3, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/Xtv04

His study was mentioned in an article by the Daily Caller by Michael Bastasch titled “Study Predicts Decades Of Global Cooling Ahead.”35Michael Bastasch. “Study Predicts Decades Of Global Cooling Ahead,” The Daily Caller. Archived October 30, 2015.  May 28, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/esPgw

“The stagnation of temperature since 1998 was caused by decreasing solar activity since 1998,” wrote Jürgen Langeheine.

Bastasch wrote another piece in the Daily Caller where he claims that Langeheine’s research proved that temperatures are falling globally due to a decline in solar activity.36Michael Bastasch. “Paper: Global Warming? More Like Global Cooling,” The Daily Caller, March 3, 2015. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/jF8jZ

PRWatch has noted that the Daily Caller’s Michael Bastasch may have connections to ALEC as well as Koch, saying “Bastasch is one of hundreds of interns who have been funded by Charles’s newest enterprise to help turn their ideological affinity with Koch ‘into careers’.”37Lisa Graves. “Trained on Koch: Daily Caller Claims Fake Rebuttal of CMD on ALEC Role Promoting ‘Stand Your Ground’ Laws,” PR Watch, June 18, 2012. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/LoMKJ

November 30–December 1, 2012

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) partnered with the Heartland Institute to host a combination event of the Heartland Institute’s Eight International Conference on Climate Change, and EIKE’s the Fifth International Conference on Climate and Energy.38“Heartland Institute Hosts Eighth International Conference on Climate Change in Germany,” The Heartland Institute, November 15, 2012. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/EP5Cd

“This conference is more proof, if any were needed, that important issues surrounding the causes, extent, and consequences of climate change remain unresolved in the scientific community,” said Heartland Institute President Joseph Bast.

Speakers at the event included:

May 21–23, 2012

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) was a co-sponsor of the Heartland Institute‘s Seventh International Conference on Climate Change (ICCC7).39“Cosponsors,” 7th International Conference on Climate Change. Archived May 10, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/VAY3r

November, 2011

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) Organized The Fourth International Climate & Energy Conference (IV Internationale Klima & Energiekonferenz) or 4th IKEK.

Speakers included noted climate change deniers including Donna Lafromboise, Christopher C. Horner, Andrew Montfort, Nir Shaviv, Jan Veizer, Henrik Svensmark, and Piers Corbyn.40“Part 1: IV International Climate & Energy Conference (4th IKEK) in Munich: Lecture Videos,” EIKE. Archived October 30, 2015. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/lsJg1 41“Part 2: IV International Climate & Energy Conference (4th IKEK) in Munich: Lecture Videos,” EIKE. Archived December 13, 2023. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/xYFpl

December 4, 2010

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) organized the third “International Climate & Energy Conference (Internationale Klima- und Energiekonferenz) in Berlin.42“III. INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE & ENERGY CONFERENCE in Berlin! Third – 4 December 2010, Berlin III. International climate and energy conference,” EIKE, November 26, 2010. Translated with Google Translate. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/baAXI

Event Partners included the Berlin Manhattan Institute and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT).

Speakers included:

December 4, 2009

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) collaborated with the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), Haus der Zukunft (HdZ), the Liberale Institute of the Stiftung für die Freiheit, and Bund Freiheit der Wissenschaft to host the “International Climate Conference – Climate Change Reconsidered” in Berlin.

According to the conference description:43“Climate Change Reconsidered,” Institute for Free Enterprise. Archived October 30, 2015. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/G3Tre

“… our Berlin Conference shall point out the fact that the scientific debate is not over. Especially with new regulations on the cards, economic and scientific analysis is more important than ever.

The real science and economics of climate change support the view that global warming is not a crisis and that immediate action to reduce emissions is not necessary.”

Speakers included:

July 26, 2009

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) released a petition to Germany’s Chancellor Angela Markel that claims there is no man-made cause of global warming. The petition was signed by about 400 people including engineers, meteorologists, geologists, chemists, forest officials, journalists, physicians, and businessmen.44“Climate Change: An Open Letter to Chancellor Merkel – ‘refute temperature measurements from 1701 human-caused temperature fluctuations’,” EIKE, July 26, 2009. Archived February 1, 2011. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/ypShk

August 17, 2008

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) organized a conference titled “Climate change – Is the man really to blame and what should be done?” (“Der Klimawandel – Ist der Mensch wirklich schuld und was sollte getan werden?”).45“Climate change – Is the man really to blame and what should be done?” eike-klima-energie.eu. Archived December 26, 2008. Translated with Google Translate. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/nGw52

May 30, 2007

The European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE), together with CFACT Europe, hosted the Berlin Climate Conference which took place at the German Free Market Institute. Keynote speakers included prominent climate change skeptic S. Fred Singer.46“Berlin Climate Conference: May 30, 2007,” CFACT Europe, May 6, 2007. Archived May 7, 2012. Archive URL: https://archive.ph/YIpOx

Location

According to SourceWatch, EIKE has no physical address, but only a P.O. Box in Jena. All members work from their home offices, according to EIKE. Many members are elderly and come from engineering professions.47“Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie,” SourceWatch Profile. Archived October 30, 2015. 

SourceWatch reports that EIKE cooperates with the libertarian foundation Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit and appears to have connections to members of the libertarian party FDP.48“Europäisches Institut für Klima und Energie,” SourceWatch Profile. Archived October 30, 2015. 

The International Climate Science Coalition mentions EIKE on its website as the German group to contact about the Manhattan declaration.

EIKE cooperates with organizations fighting wind power, for example Arbeitsgemeinschaft für eine windradfreie Heimat e. V. (Antiwindkraft) and Sturmlauf.

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