This paper analyses the development and variety of environmental policy responses advocated by parties on the Left of Germany´s political spectrum. It identifies differences to the SPD-Green led-government approach; conceptionally questions the possible notion of distinctive ‘Left’ policy choices (Carter, 2013, Krastev 2024); looks at ideological ideas of economic system change to achieve social as well as climate justice; recognises policy communalities among ‘the Left’; and concludes by using the German Left as an example to deepen our understanding of possible strategic directions and priorities of environmental policies most common to European parties on the Left.

Much has been said and written in recent years about Germany’s policy approach to tackle the environmental crisis, or more precisely, about the policy choices taken by Olaf Scholz’s Social Democratic party-led SPD-Green-Liberal coalition government. In comparison, surprisingly little attention has been given to the largely varying programmatic policy positions developed by Germany’s parties on the Left within the coalition, even though their differing ideological positions may explain their divergence as much as their ineffectiveness in communicating them. Additionally, the SPD’s and Greens programmatic positioning on environmental policies represents only one half of the implementational challenges and debates held on the issue by parties´ to the Left of the country´s political spectrum. The Bundestag contains two more left wing party ´groups´ (in opposition), namely the Left Party (Die Linke) and the recently established Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSH) - founded by one of the Left’s Party´s most prominent former member. Pointedly, these two opposition parties also differ strongly from one another on their policy positioning towards the issue of the environment. By employing a methodology of analysing policy statements and debates, findings are expected to indicate a comparatively robust degree of divergence of Germany´s four political parties on the Left on environmental policy priorities. And these identified distinctions should be helpful when considered further within a wider European Left party perspective.

The forestry sector plays a pivotal role in the economies of Austria and Germany, contributing significantly to their GDP and providing essential ecosystem services. However, it is currently at a crossroads, challenged by climate change, the need for sustainable management practices, and the rapid pace of technological advancement. Since 2019, the EU has adopted comprehensive strategies, such as the European Green Deal and the Digital Decade, recognizing the gravity of climate emergencies and the potential of technological solutions. Our study explores parliamentary discourses in Austria and Germany from 2019 to 2023, examining the forestry sector's challenges and opportunities in the context of digitalization and sustainability. Using Discourse Network Analysis (DNA), we reveal the complex interplay between policy, technology, and environmental sustainability discourses in the forestry sector. This method enables the identification, representation, and quantitative analysis of discourse networks, incorporating both the actors involved and their relationships in the formulation of forestry policies. Our study provides valuable insights into the policy-making process, highlighting the discourses and actors involved in forestry policy discussions in the Austrian and German parliaments.

The policies of the European Union (EU), which have specifically targeted the governance of innovation, have undergone significant transformations, thereby necessitating a critical assessment of EU’s articulation of pan-European innovation policy priorities and their intended implementation. This analysis focuses on two major recent European programs: Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) and Horizon Europe program, which was launched in 2021 and is projected to run until 2027. Key elements of the Horizon 2020’s policy focus were excellent science, industrial leadership and societal challenges. Horizon Europe has brought policy attention to climate change, thereby aiming to support the European Green Deal as well as the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, while also enhancing EU competitiveness. Through an examination of the policy discourses Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe the analysis aims to sheds light on the dynamics and complexities of the evolving pan-European innovation policy.
Furthermore, acknowledging the multi-faceted nature of European governance, the study argues about a need for a comparative analysis of the attendant discourses employed by the European Commission and the European Parliament, aiming to examine the policy perspectives taken by these two influential political bodies about both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Thereby, the research inquiry aims to sheds light on the dynamics and complexities of EU governance, providing insights into EU's decision-making processes and contributing to a deeper understanding of the evolution of EU's innovation policies and their role in shaping a pan-European innovation landscape.