In the aftermath of the world's scorching hottest year on record, Germany has taken a significant stride by adopting an extensive strategy for its foreign climate policy. This comprehensive 74-page document acknowledges combating the looming climate crisis as a "century's crucial human task." The strategy, approved by the cabinet, underlines the detrimental effects of global warming, which currently jeopardizes human lives in numerous regions. Inequalities, conflict fueling, and forced displacements are just a few dire consequences anticipated.
Germany stands out as a pioneer with such a broadly articulated climate strategy, highlighting it as the "most aggressive worldwide," as stated by State Secretary for Climate Action Jennifer Morgan in Dubai. This strategy also aims to enhance transparency, particularly for the public, and fortify international collaboration, setting common goals and action fields.
The strategy calls for Germany to do its utmost to attain the target set in Paris in 2015, which is limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times. To achieve this, global emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases must be reduced by nearly half by 2030 versus 2019. Germany is determined to accelerate the global energy transition, aiming to gradually phase out coal, oil, and gas; yet, this won't occur if emissions can be captured and stored.
The subject of phasing out fossil fuels is a point of contention at the ongoing UN Climate Change Conference, attended by nearly 200 countries, including oil-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia. Germany is also dedicated to supporting poor countries going through the adverse impacts of climate change, including frequent and devastating droughts, forest fires, floods, and storms. Cooperation with rainforest countries is planned to halt deforestation by 2030, but budget constraints might lead to potential cuts to such financing.
An ambitious climate policy doesn't desire to hinder Germany as a competitive business location. Nevertheless, it warns against climate policy resulting in the relocation of essential industries due to an undue price differential. Greenpeace Managing Director Martin Kaiser stresses that the new foreign climate policy's effectiveness relies on the aversion of budget crisis-related collapses in international and national climate protection.
Climate change accelerated rapidly in the warmest decade since records began (2011-2020), as per a new UN report. Greenhouse gases are intensifying "an accelerated, dramatic ice melt and sea level rise," according to the World Meteorological Organization, signaling that the planet is heading towards around 3 degrees warming instead of the desired 1.5 degrees by the end of the century, assuming all nations stick to their pledges.
At the COP28 conference, the United Arab Emirates announced a fund for climate projects to reinforce global efforts against climate change, showcasing collective international action toward a conducive, climate-conscious future. It's noteworthy that a significant number of countries, including the UAE, Brazil, the UK, and Germany, have proposed new climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
