How does policy consulting provide strategic guidance?
Political decisions are increasingly shaping the scope of action available to local governments, businesses, and investors. We help clients make sense of developments in energy and climate policy, understand regulatory dynamics, and use this insight to develop a solid foundation for decision-making.
Understanding dynamic conditions
Energy and climate policy is evolving at a rapid pace – at the national, European, and international levels. New regulatory requirements, support instruments, and market mechanisms have a direct impact on business models, investments, and strategic planning.
To operate effectively in this environment, a thorough understanding of political decision-making processes, regulatory frameworks, and their practical implications is essential. This is precisely where our policy consulting comes in: We make complex developments tangible for a wide range of stakeholders – from municipalities and public institutions to industrial, energy, and financial companies.
Putting regulatory issues into perspective
Political and regulatory changes do not take effect in isolation, but rather in conjunction with markets, technologies, and societal developments. That is why we always take a systemic view of the political landscape, focusing on its concrete practical implications.
By combining analytical expertise with a deep understanding of legal, regulatory, and technical contexts, we are able to develop well-founded and tailored strategies.
What we offer you
Policy analysis
Systematic monitoring, analysis, and assessment of developments in energy and climate policy at the national, European, and international levels
Design of the regulatory framework
Development of options for effective, actionable, and cross-sector regulatory approaches to support decarbonisation
Funding policy
Analysis of existing funding instruments, development of new approaches, and consulting on implementation at the regional, national, or EU level
Policy making / Legislation
Providing expert guidance on policy processes, issuing statements on proposed legislation, and analysing draft regulations and their impacts
Market design
Assessment and shaping of market structures—particularly in the energy and emissions sectors—taking into account economic and political objectives
Stakeholder processes
Design and facilitation of participatory processes, cross-sectoral dialogue, and consultation formats for the development of policy strategies, as well as the conduct of Delphi studies on specific topics
Carbon Management & Solutions
- Analysis and evaluation of carbon management approaches such as nature-based solutions, afforestation, biochar, CCS, and CCUS in terms of effectiveness, regulatory classification, and market viability.
- Consulting on the accounting and crediting of negative emissions in climate strategies, including current regulatory developments such as the CRCF and relevant registry issues.
- Classification of avoided emissions and non-energy sources (e.g., LULUCF) in the context of carbon management strategies and regulatory requirements
Why HIC CONSULTING
Political and regulatory changes create uncertainty—but at the same time, they open up new opportunities. We help identify relevant developments early on, assess their implications realistically, and use this insight to make well-informed decisions. For us, policy analysis is more than just monitoring regulatory developments. We always analyse policy decisions in the context of markets, technologies, and real-world implementation conditions.
Our interdisciplinary team combines political, regulatory, technical, and economic perspectives. Our close ties to political decision-making processes — especially due to our location in Berlin — provides deep insight into current developments and their dynamics. This allows us to provide guidance in complex environments and enable clients to strategically leverage change.
Highlight Projects
Strategic Analysis of the German Energy Market
For Norway’s largest energy company, Å Energi, we analysed key political and regulatory developments in Germany—with a focus on their implications for the Nordic markets. The focus was on how key reform initiatives—such as those related to the EEG, grid tariffs, or potential capacity mechanisms—would specifically impact market conditions and trading strategies. As a result, Å Energi received a strategically actionable assessment of German market and regulatory developments, providing a foundation for further developing its own market and positioning strategy in the European electricity market.
