Coping with the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic creates further challenges for climate protection policy. In a joint statement, the German Academies of Sciences have identified political, technological, and regulatory measures which, when implemented at European level, will enable an energy transition without overburdening society and the economy. Frank-Detlef Drake, E.ON’s VP Research & Technology, contributed as one of two energy industry representatives to the ‘energy transition document’ of the German science academies.