For many years, energy policy in Germany and in Europe has focused on the triangle of objectives comprising sustainability, security of supply and competitiveness as a consensual formula, which provides the basis for a constructive dialogue between all stakeholders. During the next few years, European energy politics will be characterized by disputes about interpretational sovereignty, which will focus on the future importance of the sustainability principle. There are a number of indications of an impending paradigm shift in European climate and energy politics.