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Dispute over money – Biodiversity Conference in Cali cancelled: The UN World Conference on Nature COP16 in Colombia was cancelled without an agreement on the financing of species protection. The main point of contention was the issue of money, in particular how funds for the protection of biodiversity should be provided and managed. The Global South called for more commitment and a new fund with a greater say, as they felt disadvantaged and burdened by problems such as poverty, environmental disasters and insufficient support. However, the EU blocked this new biodiversity fund, further weakening trust between the countries of the global South and North. Despite the failure on the funding issue, some progress was made, for example in recognising indigenous communities and regulations on compensation for the use of genetic resources. faz.net, tagesschau.de, fair-economics.de (with statements)
Climate researcher finds adherence to the 1.5-degree target „ridiculous“: Climate researcher Mojib Latif considers adherence to the 1.5-degree target to be an unrealistic illusion, as it has long since been exceeded. Instead of continuing to focus on negotiations, he calls for concrete action, as previous climate conferences, including the upcoming one in Azerbaijan, have failed to bring about a breakthrough despite focussing attention on the issue. Greenhouse gas levels continue to rise and the world is on a warming path of around three degrees – even this mark will only be met if existing commitments are fulfilled. Reports from the UN and the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) confirm this critical state of affairs, as CO₂ concentrations have reached new record levels. The Paris Agreement of 2015, which was intended to limit the rise in temperature to a maximum of 1.5 degrees, hardly seems achievable in view of these developments. spiegel.de
In just one and a half hours, the richest 50 billionaires emit more greenhouse gases on average than the global average person does in a lifetime.
An Oxfam study based on the 50 richest billionaires shows that their luxurious lifestyles, including private jets and superyachts, and their environmentally damaging investments are exacerbating the climate crisis and fuelling social inequality and hunger. Their flights alone are equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the rest of the world’s population in 300 years. In Germany, the five richest people cause 1275 times as many emissions as the poorest one per cent of the population. Oxfam emphasises that the investments of the super-rich, particularly in sectors such as logistics, chemicals and cement, account for 33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents every year. Oxfam is calling for a wealth tax to support climate protection and stricter regulation of environmentally harmful luxury behaviour as well as ambitious political measures at national and global level. sueddeutsche.de
EU-wide greenhouse gas emissions fell last year: Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by eight per cent in 2023 compared to the previous year, which, according to the EU Environment Agency (EEA), represents the largest decrease in decades – apart from the coronavirus year 2020. This decline is mainly due to reduced coal consumption, the expansion of renewable energies and lower electricity consumption. The energy, industry and construction sectors in particular contributed to this result. However, transport and agriculture still need to make further progress in reducing emissions. The EU is aiming for climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. In 2023, emissions were 37 per cent below the 1990 level. tagesspiegel.de
Nuclear waste repository search on the brink of failure: A German government commission of experts has warned of a possible failure in the search for a nuclear waste repository in Germany. The search for a site is not expected to be completed until 2074 at the earliest, which is considerably later than the statutory target of 2031. The commission suggests concentrating the search on regions with low exploration costs and avoiding the construction of test mines in order to save time and resources. A third proposal is not to stick to all three potential host rocks and to exclude crystalline rock due to scientific concerns. This proposal could increase political tensions as it would mean an early regional determination, especially for Bavaria and Saxony. The Commission emphasises the need for a joint approach to avoid delays and end the political dispute. rnd.de
AI boom harms the climate: The boom in artificial intelligence (AI) is causing a massive increase in energy consumption, which could have a significant impact on the climate. By 2030, the electricity demand of data centres in Europe is expected to rise to more than 150 terawatt hours, which accounts for five percent of total European electricity consumption – so far it is only two percent. Much of this energy still comes from fossil fuels, although large providers such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google are increasingly focussing on renewable energies. The hunger for electricity is particularly evident in new AI data centres, such as Elon Musk’s xAI facility, which uses 100,000 special Nvidia chips and requires up to 70 megawatts – comparable to the output of 25 wind turbines. Rising greenhouse gas emissions from tech giants, such as a 13 per cent increase at Google, highlight the climate problem. handelsblatt.com
More natural hazards due to climate change: Climate change is altering natural hazards in the Alps, with rockfalls and other events such as debris flows and avalanches occurring more frequently. An international study led by Switzerland analysed 335 studies and found that rockfalls at high Alpine altitudes have increased due to glacier melt and thawing permafrost. However, sufficient data is still lacking for other natural hazards such as landslides, although there are signs of an increase. According to around half of the studies, debris flows appear to occur more frequently at higher altitudes and in new areas. Avalanches show a shift towards more wet snow at higher altitudes, while they are becoming rarer at lower altitudes. The temperature in the Alps has risen by 0.3 to 0.4 degrees per decade since 1968, the amount of snow has decreased and Swiss glaciers have lost considerable volume since the 1980s. spiegel.de
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Verlust
Ein Grundproblem der Moderne
Andreas Reckwitz’s Loss is an impressive and profound analysis of modern society that inevitably makes the reader think. The author addresses the topic of loss – in all its facets – and sheds light on how these experiences are increasingly burdening and shaping Western societies. From the melting of glaciers to changes in the world of work and the dissolution of social order: Loss is omnipresent and shapes the collective zeitgeist.
Reckwitz guides the reader through a comprehensive examination of the social and cultural structures that influence our understanding and experience of loss. With brilliant clarity, he argues that Western modernity, under the banner of progress, has always been characterised by a paradoxical relationship to loss: progress promised to minimise losses while at the same time increasing them. This „loss paradox“ has long maintained the balance of society, but seems to be collapsing in the current „vulnerable late modernity“.
A central theme of the book is the dwindling trust in the narrative of progress, which is losing its persuasive power in the face of increasing experiences of loss. Reckwitz poses the provocative and fundamental question: Can societies continue to see themselves as modern and at the same time deal productively with loss? This question is not only relevant for the present, but could also represent one of the existential challenges of the 21st century.
With Verlust, Reckwitz succeeds in creating a work that is both analytically astute and socially relevant. Readers are invited to grapple with the complexity of the experience of loss and to understand the deeper dynamics of our time. A book that not only does pioneering work, but also redefines the discourse on the social and cultural significance of loss. Groundbreaking and definitely worth reading.
In an Nutshell:
Global crises: Almost a fifth of all children worldwide live in conflict zones. zeit.de
Hunger: Is increasingly being used as a weapon. faz.net
Finance Minister’s policy paper: Lindner puts the saw to the traffic lights and climate policy. taz.de
Lithium agreement with Serbia: The EU and Germany want to mine lithium for e-car batteries in Serbia. However, there is fierce resistance to this. dw.com
Extreme rainfall in Spain: Researchers see influence of climate change and gaps in the warning system. spiegel.de
Trade conflict: China lodges complaint with the WTO against EU car tariffs. golem.de
Consequences of the subsidy scandal: Hydrogen association appoints new dual leadership. spiegel.de
Future CO2 prices: Property companies need to take action now. pv-magazine.de
Green Finance: Demand for sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) is falling steadily. finance-magazin.de
Holidays in the climate crisis: How travelling will change. morgenpost.de
Objections from competitors: Czech cartel office stops construction of new nuclear reactors for the time being. euractiv.de
Provider of e-solutions for heavy goods transport: Quantron AG is insolvent. hna.de
Less CO2 emissions: Cargo ship for nuclear waste tests environmentally friendly high-tech sail. t3n.de
Bitumen replacement: Frankfurt Airport tests asphalt made from cashew shells.ksta.de
Traffic turnaround in France: Paris wants less car traffic in the city centre. rp-online.de
Energiewende: E-cars as electricity storage – study sees high savings potential. heise.de
Emission-free on the high seas: Norwegian shipping company Hurtigruten has set itself the goal of putting the first emission-free mail ship into operation by 2030. rnd.de
EITUrban Mobility: “ We need a radically new paradigm for urban mobility“. vision-mobility.de
Green hydrogen: Will Saudi Arabia save the German energy transition? A German energy manager is to become the boss. wiwo.de
Shipping: An innovative approach shows that conventional diesel engines in ships could be operated in a more environmentally friendly and efficient way with hydrogen injection. ingenieur.de
Hydrogen: Breakthrough in alkaline membrane electrolysers. chemie.de
Forschungszentrum Jülich: Investigation of a European energy network with renewable electricity and green hydrogen . Synthetic fuels play an important role in a European energy transition, nuclear energy does not. vdi-nachrichten.de
Biden’s flop: Outgoing US President Joe Biden had promised the industry massive support for the development of a hydrogen economy. In reality, this will often turn out to be meagre. wiwo.de
PODCAST OF THE WEEK:
Soil as a power factor
Soil is one of the largest and most important ecosystems on earth, but it is also a limited and precious resource. Land is needed by various groups – farmers for cultivation, people for housing, for transport infrastructure and also for the construction of wind turbines or the preservation of habitats for animals and plants. The journalist Dirk Böttcher has been working intensively on the challenges surrounding land.
A central issue is the question of land ownership and the resulting wealth inequality in society. Böttcher points out that landowners often realise returns without actively doing anything, as the value of the land increases over time. He calls this process a „performance-less increase in wealth“. In his interview in the brand eins podcast, he discusses how society can ensure that the increase in the value of land benefits everyone and how land can be used sustainably in the face of the climate crisis. detektor.fm
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
Nuclear Union: Half the climate rent
by Joachim Wille
The commentary criticises the CDU/CSU’s climate plan, which relies on nuclear power and envisages the reactivation of decommissioned nuclear power plants. This is described as irresponsible and dangerous. On the positive side, it is noted that the Union is sticking to the goal of climate neutrality by 2045, which is an important benchmark. Nevertheless, there are many problematic aspects of the plan, such as the inefficient use of hydrogen and the focus on carbon pricing, which is difficult to implement due to social consequences. As the CDU/CSU will probably need a coalition partner, there is hope that not all of these controversial measures will be implemented. Read the full commentary here at fr.de
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
Development process of the Future Plant Protection Programme: The Future Plant Protection Programme of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) was developed with the involvement of the federal states, relevant associations from the agricultural sector, nature conservation and environmental protection as well as consumer protection, youth organisations and the „Dialogue Network for Sustainable Agriculture“. This participation process was based on a basis for discussion drawn up and published by the BMEL. The Federal Government writes this in its answer (20/13515) to a minor question (20/13095) from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. The BMEL published its Future Plant Protection Programme on 4 September 2024. The primary goal of this programme is to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50 percent by 2030. In this context, the BMEL stated: „The participation and close involvement of the various interest groups has been important.“
Adaptation of battery legislation: The adaptation of battery legislation to an EU regulation is the subject of a minor interpellation (20/13494) by the Left Party group. Lithium-ion batteries are associated with particularly high environmental risks due to their fire risks in the event of improper disposal and their high content of critical raw materials. The questioners argue that the collection rate for this type of battery is currently only 29 per cent with an assumed service life of five to seven years, or eight to ten years according to other sources. „Deposit systems are an effective incentive for consumers to dispose of products properly,“ write the MPs. Among other things, the MPs want to know from the Federal Government how often fires caused by lithium-ion batteries have occurred in waste collection vehicles, waste sorting plants, waste incineration plants and recycling centres as well as at federal authorities, the Federal Police and the Federal Armed Forces since 2014. It also asks how often the Federal Agency for Technical Relief has been involved in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries and what costs have been incurred.
EU regulation on deforestation-free supply chains: The European Union’s regulation on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR) is the subject of a minor interpellation (20/13473) from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group. With the implementation deadlines of 30 December 2025 and 30 June 2026 respectively, forest owners in Germany – regardless of the area of operation – must provide their timber products with geolocation data and report them to the EU. The questioners write that the federal states had already reached a cross-party consensus in a Bundesrat resolution on 17 May 2024 that the EUDR should be postponed and significantly revised. At the beginning of October 2024, the European Commission also proposed postponing the application of the EUDR by twelve months. Among other things, the MPs want to know whether the German government also sees a need to revise the content of the EUDR. In addition, the Federal Government should comment on the extent to which it can be ensured „that the bureaucratic requirements for forest owners and forestry companies as well as small and medium-sized timber and paper companies can be implemented, both legally and digitally, by the end of the implementation period of the EUDR“, according to the minor interpellation.
TAKEN LITERALLY:
We can’t build electric cars in Germany that cost between 25,000 and 30,000 euros. With German labour and energy costs, that is simply not possible today. That’s why we produce the Corsa and the Frontera at more cost-effective locations. To hold our own against new competitors from China, we have to keep costs under control and constantly work on our competitiveness.
Florian Huettl, Head of Opel , Even before Brussels announced the phase-out of combustion engines from 2035, we at Opel were already focussing on e-mobility as a way to achieve CO₂ neutrality. In doing so, we also made difficult decisions and said goodbye to models that had no future as electric cars. We are firmly convinced that electric cars are the better vehicles. Anyone who has ever driven an electric car will never want to drive another one. Because e-cars make no noise. E-cars produce no exhaust fumes. E-cars do not vibrate when driving. E-cars can be accelerated quickly. E-cars offer a pleasant driving experience. E-cars have lower maintenance costs because charging is cheaper than refuelling. With e-cars, we as a mass manufacturer can offer customers sustainable and affordable mobility in the long term. augsburger-allgemeine.de
AFRICA:
Botswana: Opposition surprisingly wins parliamentary election. zeit.de
After wiretapping scandal: Mauritius blocks social media before election. tagesschau.de
How Africa can defend itself against negative stereotypes: A study tackles stereotypical negative images of Africa. These even have concrete consequences, for example when African countries have to take out loans. But there are also ways to break with clichés. dw.com
14 million people displaced by war in Sudan, says IOM: There are around 14 million refugees as a result of the civil war in Sudan, according to the International Organisation for Migration. Women in particular are on the run. zeit.de
After a wave of protests in the summer: Kenya plans another tax reform. n-tv.de
Floods in the Sahel: Senegal’s battle with political climate change. taz.de
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
How climate change affects health: Climate change poses an increasing threat to public health, according to a report in The Lancet. Between 1986 and 2023, the number of hours of sleep lost due to high temperatures increased by five per cent, which can lead to health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. Droughts and heatwaves have exacerbated food insecurity worldwide, and the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue fever is increasing in temperate regions. Extreme weather events are causing growing economic losses, particularly in poorer countries, which lost around 7.6 per cent of their GDP in 2023 due to hours not worked. In Germany, the risk of heat stress during physical activity has doubled since the 1990s. The report continues to criticise high subsidies for fossil fuels, which exacerbate climate change and endanger the health of millions of people. It calls for the money to be redistributed to renewable energies and health measures. zeit.de
Baltic Sea seagrass as a source of antibiotics? Seagrass meadows , especially in the Baltic Sea, not only provide a habitat for many marine animals and act as a CO2 reservoir, but also have antibacterial properties. Researchers at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel have discovered that microbes living on the leaves of seagrass produce potent antibacterial agents that are even effective against resistant pathogens such as MRSA. In tests, these microbes showed a stronger effect than some conventional antibiotics. Many of the substances identified are as yet unknown and could inspire future antibiotics. These findings emphasise the importance of intact seagrass meadows for the health of the oceans and humans. The protection of these ecosystems is becoming increasingly important in view of the growing threat posed by pathogenic bacteria that are multiplying due to global warming. scinexx.de
More and more polar bears are injured by thaws: A new study by the University of Washington shows that polar bears are suffering more frequent injuries to their paws caused by freeze-thaw cycles, which are increasing due to global warming. Between 2012 and 2022, researchers observed two polar bear populations in Canada and Greenland and found icing-related wounds, hair loss and skin ulcers in many animals. Rain on snow leads to slush, which freezes into large lumps of ice when temperatures drop, which adhere to the paws and cause painful injuries. In one population, 31 out of 61 polar bears had such injuries, in another 15 out of 124. This new phenomenon had not previously been observed scientifically or by indigenous hunters. Further problems arise when the snow melts and refreezes, creating a hard crust that causes sharp cuts when broken through by the heavy animals. The long-term effects on polar bear populations are currently unclear. nationalgeographic.de
CALENDAR:
Hearing on the climate-neutral expansion of the heat supply
Time: Monday, 4 November 2024, 2 p.m.Location: Berlin, Paul Löbe Building, meeting room E.400The meeting is open to the public.
The Federal Government’s draft bill to accelerate the approval procedures for geothermal plants, heat pumps and heat storage systems and to amend further legal framework conditions for the climate-neutral expansion of the heat supply(20/13092) will be the subject of a two-hour public hearing on Monday, 4 November 2024.
Expert discussion „Conscious shopping – mandatory state labelling
Time: Monday, 4 November 2024, 2.30 pm to 4.30 pm
Location: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room 2 600
The meeting is open to the public.The Committee on Food and Agriculture will meet on Monday, 4 November 2024,for a public expert discussion on the topic of „Conscious shopping made easy through a mandatory state label„. The discussion will be based on the recommendations of the Citizens‘ Assembly „Nutrition in transition: between a private matter and state responsibilities“(20/10300).
These include the introduction of a mandatory state label for all products sold in Germany and the European Union. The label should have a simple design and be accompanied by an information campaign so that it is accepted by consumers. „You should be able to recognise in three seconds whether the food is safe,“ says the Citizens‘ Assembly’s recommendation. (29.10.2024)
Public agenda item: „World Climate Conference COP 29 in Baku“
Time: Wednesday, 6 November 2024, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Berlin, Jakob-Kaiser-Haus, meeting room 1.302
The meeting is open to the public.Briefing by the Federal Government (oral) ahead of the COP 29 Climate Change Conference in Baku i. in conjunction with a discussion with Harjeet Singh Director of Global Engagement (Campaign for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty) and Dr Kira Vinke, Head of the Centre for Climate and Foreign Policy (DGAP)
For the public hearing: Participation as a guest is only possible after prior registration. Please register by providing your first name, surname and date of birth at awz@bundestag.de. A valid identity card or passport must be brought to the admission control. There is no right to speak or ask questions.
The meeting will be broadcast live on parliamentary television and on www.bundestag.de.
Hearing on the Carbon Dioxide Storage Act
Time: Wednesday, 6 November 2024, 11 a.m.
Location: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room E.600
The hearing is open to the public.Draft bill of the Federal Government
Draft bill to amend the Carbon Dioxide Storage Act, BT printed paper 20/11900
Interested viewers can follow the public hearing on site in conference room E.600 (entrance via Konrad-Adenauer-Straße 1, West Entrance of the Paul Löbe Building) or live on the Bundestag website. Internal and external visitors are requested to register with the secretariat of the Committee on Climate Action and Energy by email to klima-energie@bundestag.de by 4 November 2024 at the latest. External visitors are requested to provide their date of birth. The data will be compared with the police information system (INPOL) and used exclusively for admission control. They will be deleted after the visit has ended.
Hearing: „Plant protection products not authorised in the EU“
Time: Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 11 a.m. to 12.45 p.m.
Location: Berlin, Jakob-Kaiser-Haus, meeting room 1.302
The hearing is open to the public.Topic: „Export, use, benefits and side effects of plant protection products not authorised in the European Union“
Hearing on the future of the automotive industry
Time: Wednesday, 13 November 2024, 9 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.
Location: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room E.800
The hearing is open to the public.Subject of the public hearing:
Motion by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group
Our automotive industry needs a future – Making Germany competitive as an industrial location
BT-Drucksache 20/129632024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29)
When: 11-22. November 2024
Where: Baku, Azerbaijan
Further information:Press release from COP28
At last year’s COP28 conference in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), countries agreed for the first time to move away from fossil fuels and to finance the Fund for Loss and Damage.
In November, heads of state and government and delegates from around the world will meet again in Azerbaijan for the biggest climate event of the year to set a new global target for climate finance.Meeting of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16)
When: 2-13 December December
Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
More information: Website
Not to be confused with the UN Biodiversity Conference: COP16 will bring together world leaders to take action on drylands under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Since the last UNCCD Conference of the Parties in May 2022 in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), this will be the world’s largest summit on land issues.
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