In the wake of the globe's hottest year ever recorded, Germany has taken a significant step forward by formulating an extensive foreign climate policy strategy. This comprehensive 74-page document views combating the looming climate crisis as "a century's pivotal human undertaking." Approved by the cabinet, this strategy recognizes the harmful effects of global warming, currently endangering human lives in various regions. Consequences, such as inequality, conflict fueling, and forced displacement, are serious predicaments anticipated.
Germany has distinguished itself as a trailblazer with this far-reaching climate strategy, highlighted as the "most aggressive worldwide" by State Secretary for Climate Action Jennifer Morgan in Dubai. The strategy also prioritizes transparency, particularly for the public, and bolsters international collaboration, setting shared goals and action fields.
The strategy calls for Germany to make every effort to reach the target set in Paris in 2015, which involves limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial times. To achieve this, worldwide emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases must be reduced by almost half by 2030 compared to 2019. Germany is determined to accelerate the global energy transition, aiming to gradually phase out coal, oil, and gas, but this won't happen if emissions can be captured and stored.
The debate over phasing out fossil fuels is a contentious issue at the UN Climate Change Conference, attended by almost 200 countries, including oil-rich nations like Saudi Arabia. Germany is also committed to supporting less wealthy countries battling the adverse effects of climate change, such as frequent and destructive droughts, forest fires, floods, and storms. Collaboration with rainforest countries is planned to halt deforestation by 2030, but budget constraints may necessitate potential cuts to such funding.
An ambitious climate policy doesn't aim to impede Germany's competitiveness as a business location. However, it advises against climate policy leading to the relocation of essential industries due to an undue price differential. Greenpeace Managing Director Martin Kaiser emphasizes that the new foreign climate policy's success depends on averting budget crisis-related collapses in international and national climate protection.
Climate change progressed rapidly in the warmest decade on record (2011-2020), according to a new UN report. Greenhouse gases are intensifying "an accelerated, dramatic ice melt and sea level rise," according to the World Meteorological Organization, suggesting that the planet is heading towards around 3 degrees warming instead of the desired 1.5 degrees by the end of the century if all nations adhere to their pledges.
At the COP28 conference, the United Arab Emirates announced a fund for climate projects to bolster global efforts against climate change, reflecting collective international action toward a harmonious, climate-conscious future. It's noteworthy that numerous countries, including the UAE, Brazil, the UK, and Germany, have proposed new climate commitments under the Paris Agreement.
[1] "Climate Protection 2050: Federal Climate Action Act," Germany Ministry for the Environment and Nuclear Safety, accessed August 24, 2023. [2] "Climate Action Programme 2030," German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, accessed August 24, 2023. [3] "German Contribution to the UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN)," Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, accessed August 24, 2023. [4] "Africa Policy Guidelines," Federal Foreign Office of Germany, accessed August 24, 2023. [5] "Election Manifestos of Major German Parties on Climate Policy," Deutsche Welle, accessed August 24, 2023.
Germany has been actively involved in various international climate initiatives and domestic policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Some key updates and actions include:
Goals and Targets
- Net-Zero by 2045: Germany aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, with interim targets including a 65% reduction by 2030 and an 88% reduction by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.
- Climate Action Programmes: The country has introduced various climate action programmes, including the Climate Action Programme 2030, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, a reduction from the previously targeted 65%.
Challenges
- Meeting 2030 Targets: Despite its ambitious targets, Germany is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction goal, according to the Council of Experts on Climate Change.
- Energy Transition: The reduced climate ambitions could delay Germany's energy transition timeline, potentially leading to increased reliance on fossil fuels and job losses in the renewable energy sector.
International Collaborations
- UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN): Germany has provided a €1 million contribution to the CTCN to support climate technology transfer, innovation, and uptake in developing countries. This collaboration focuses on the phase-out of Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6) and decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors like cement.
- Global Decarbonization Efforts: Germany is part of global trends towards decarbonization, including the EU's new F-gas Regulation and the G7's agreement to phase out SF6 in new switchgear applications by 2035.
Domestic Policy and Initiatives
- Climate Laws and Policies: Germany introduced its Federal Climate Action Act in 2019, which includes binding interim targets and a net-zero goal for 2045. The law has undergone amendments and has been criticized for not being stringent enough, leading to a court ruling that curtailed climate spending by enforcing Germany’s limit on debt.
- Africa Policy: Germany has published guidelines for its Africa policy, emphasizing collaboration to overcome global challenges like climate change, pandemic prevention, and preserving peace and stability. The policy focuses on sustainable growth, reinforcing democracy, education, science, and innovation, and promoting security and stability.
Political Landscape
- Election Manifestos: The upcoming 2025 German election has seen major parties differing in their approaches to climate policy. The CDU and SPD both support the 2045 net-zero target but differ on how to achieve it, with the CDU prioritizing carbon pricing and the SPD advocating for tougher decarbonization policies.
