to the GERMAN EDITION
Despite migration policy – CDU, SPD and Greens agree on legislative package on renewable energies: Although the past week has probably been one of the toughest in parliamentary debate on migration policy for a long time, the CDU, SPD and Greens have agreed on a legislative package to promote renewable energies shortly before the early general election. It includes the extension of subsidies for combined heat and power (CHP) plants, new market rules for solar power and restrictions on the construction of wind turbines outside designated priority areas. The reform of European emissions trading has also been transposed into German law. The industry welcomes the measures as a contribution to stabilising the electricity grids. However, experts are calling for greater control of the further expansion of renewable energies in the interests of grid security. handelsblatt.com, fair-economics.de, zeit.de,
BaFin risk report – Supervisors warn of climate risks for banking business: The German financial supervisory authority Bafin has issued an urgent warning about the impact of climate change on banks and insurance companies, as natural disasters such as forest fires and floods cause enormous financial losses. Bafin CEO Mark Branson emphasises the need for financial companies to take a closer look at the physical risks of climate change, as the focus to date has been on the risks associated with the transition to cleaner technologies (transitory risks). The physical risks of climate change, such as the direct damage caused by natural disasters, have so far been underestimated by financial supervision, which now requires a reorientation of the regulatory strategy. Branson calls for improved risk management in order to avoid insurance gaps and strengthen prevention measures, although the German insurance landscape is currently still stable. sueddeutsche.de, tagesschau.de, bafin.de
242 million pupils without lessons
According to a Unicef analysis, around 242 million pupils in 85 countries will have to miss school in 2024 due to extreme weather events such as heatwaves, hurricanes, floods and droughts. These school closures have serious social consequences in low-income countries, including an increased risk of child labour, child marriage and gender-based violence, particularly among girls. The greatest impact has been recorded in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mozambique, Pakistan and the Philippines; in Italy, 900,000 pupils stayed at home in September due to flooding. As a solution, Unicef proposes the construction of climate-resistant school buildings equipped with improved sun protection, better ventilation and raised foundations to prevent flooding. fr.de
The goals of the parties in climate and energy policy – WWF presents election check programme for the Bundestag elections: There are clear differences in the energy and climate policies of the German parties for the 2025 Bundestag elections. The CDU/CSU, SPD, Greens, FDP, Die Linke, BSW and AfD have different plans for the expansion of renewable energies and the use of fossil fuels. While some parties are in favour of a rapid expansion of renewable energies and the phasing out of fossil fuels, others are backing a continuation or even expansion of the use of fossil energy sources and nuclear energy. The importance of adapting the infrastructure and financing this transformation is also emphasised, with approaches ranging from direct state investment to market-based solutions. The election manifestos of the six largest democratic parties and the AfD for the 2025 federal elections were analysed and compared with WWF’s demands. Users can check whether the parties are pursuing a forward-looking, Paris-compatible climate policy and to what extent they are endeavouring to protect biodiversity and stop the extinction of species. ingenieur.de, wwf.de ‚
Bloomberg takes over US climate payments: Bloomberg Philanthropies takes over US payments to UN climate panel after Trump cuts funding. Michael Bloomberg, a media billionaire and UN special envoy, calls for a global campaign for climate-related natural disasters. fair-economics.com , tablemedia.com
Other CO2 calculation? EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has instructed EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas to develop an action plan to support the car industry, which is to be presented on 5 March. The plan is the result of a dialogue in Brussels in which representatives of the automotive industry, trade unions, environmental organisations and suppliers took part. The aim is to respond to the challenges facing the European car industry as a result of increased competition and strict CO2 regulations. Von der Leyen emphasises that the European automotive industry has reached a critical point and reaffirms the commitment to support the industry with targeted measures. n-tv.de
UN Sustainable Development Goals with little impact: According to a report by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), the EU is lagging behind in terms of sustainable development. Although numerous ambitious political measures exist, their actual impact is often limited. In 2015, the member states of the United Nations committed to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to promote prosperity while ensuring the protection of people and the environment. The recently published report states that the implementation of these goals in the EU is at risk, as the Union is missing important milestones and making slow progress. euractiv.de
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Toxisch Reich
Why extreme wealth jeopardises our democracy. We need to talk – about money, tax justice, billionaires, redistribution and the defence of our democracy
In his book Toxically Rich, Sebastian Klein, co-founder of Blinkist and former multimillionaire, relentlessly analyses the social dangers posed by extreme wealth. Klein speaks from experience: after giving away 90 per cent of his wealth, he realises that excessive wealth not only threatens the democratic balance, but also deepens inequalities and drives climate change.
Klein questions why large fortunes remain virtually untouched, while labour is heavily taxed in many countries. Using real-life examples – such as the absurd contrast between the space tourism of the super-rich and the existential fears of others – he holds up a mirror to our society. His reflections on inheritance tax and the systematic favouring of the richest classes are particularly revealing. He shows how privileges become entrenched and why political debates often bypass the truly powerful.
What makes Klein’s book so valuable is the mixture of personal reflection and fact-based analysis. It is not a simplistic call for a debate on envy, but a differentiated appeal for social justice and a redistribution that strengthens democracy and participation. Klein argues clearly and forcefully that the problem is not wealth per se, but its concentration in a few hands that disproportionately increase power and influence.
The strength of the book also lies in its comprehensibility. Klein stays close to the realities of the reader’s life, avoids technical jargon and presents complex economic relationships in clear, accessible language. This makes the book suitable both for people who are dealing with the topic of inequality for the first time and for those who are looking for in-depth insights into the structures of the wealth gap.
Toxically Rich is an important book at a time when social division and political polarisation are on the rise. Sebastian Klein forcefully reminds us that we need to talk openly about the power of money and the responsibility of the rich – and that democracy can only work if wealth and opportunities are distributed more fairly. A stirring and highly topical work for all those interested in the future of our society. oekom.de
In a Nutshell:
Scholz: Trump’s oil and gas policy benefits Germany’s economy. faz.net
Populism: Climate policy as fuel for climate change deniers. klimareporter.de
Automotive industry: New US Secretary of Transportation wants to strengthen combustion engines again. spiegel.de
Energy industry law: What experts say about the draft law to avoid electricity surpluses. fair-economics.de
Professional ban for activist: Can commitment be penalised like this? t-online.de
Nuclear power: France backs nuclear energy – despite all the problems. augsburger-allgemeine.de
Deep sea: Portuguese parliament votes in favour of suspending raw material extraction in the deep sea. unternehmen-heute.de
Less salt: Important target groups of snack manufacturer Lorenz are paying more attention to their diet. He is therefore focussing on less salt and healthier recipes. capital.de
Activist: PETA campaign with Collien Ulmen-Fernandes: She campaigns against the fur industry. gala.de
From railways to speed limits: what parties are planning for transport policy. flux.fm
Transport policy: trade union and experts demand 30 km/h speed limit in urban areas. tagesschau.de
Infrastructure in Germany: Wissing waves through old plans for new roads.spiegel.de
On-demand ridepooling: How shared mobility could shape our transport of tomorrow. wupperinst.org
Mobility: Car owners are driving more for the first time since 2018. stern.de
Logistics: This German wants to make Amazon green. wiwo.de
Scotland: Green hydrogen for Germany: This European country should be able to supply „more than half“. merkur.de
„Shaping the transition pragmatically“: Scholz suddenly favours nuclear power for „green“ steel. bild.de
Hydrogen crisis: Green hydrogen should enable Germany to protect the climate and maintain its industry. But more and more producers are pulling out. Is the hoped-for transformation of the economy failing? zeit.de
Rather the exception: the gas lobby is promoting heating with hydrogen as a climate-friendly future alternative to heating with fossil natural gas. Experts warn of a cost trap for consumers. tagesschau.de
PODCAST OF THE WEEK:
Climate protection – have we achieved anything at all?
In the latest Quarks Daily podcast, presenter Ina Plodroch discusses the effectiveness of current climate protection measures in light of 2024 being the warmest year since records began. The podcast sheds light on whether it still makes sense to continue efforts and what positive developments there are despite the challenges. Important sources such as the annual report of the European climate change service Copernicus and analyses of the energy transition in Germany are presented, which provide an overview of the status and future prospects of climate protection. The podcast also deals with the topic of noise and its harmful effects on health, supported by scientific studies on environmental noise and its impact on health. wdr.de
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
The climate crisis, the forgotten election issue
The climate crisis is taking a back seat in the current election campaign, while issues such as migration and the economic crisis dominate. Despite their former importance in German politics, chancellor candidates such as Friedrich Merz, Olaf Scholz and others are barely addressing the climate, and the media and public are also showing little interest in it. Discussions tend to centre on energy prices and the aesthetics of wind turbines rather than concrete measures to combat climate change. This lack of serious debate about green energy procurement and effective climate protection measures could exacerbate other social problems such as migration and economic crises in the long term. the whole text is available at zeit.de
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
Report on price spikes on the electricity exchange: On Wednesday, the Committee for Climate Protection and Energy discussed the written report by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) on the background to the price spikes on the EPEX SPOT electricity exchange on 12/13 December 2024 and possible solutions for future price spikes, stating that exceptionally high electricity prices occurred on German day-ahead wholesale electricity trading on 12 December 2024. Prices were very high both on average over the day and at the peak. The baseload price for the entire day was reportedly €395.34 per MWh. The peak price was reached in the hour between 5pm and 6pm and totalled EUR 936.28 per MWh. Hourly prices of EUR 500/MWh and higher are extremely rare on the German electricity market, the report states. In 2024, this threshold was only exceeded in 15 hours, nine of which were on 12 December. Such price peaks did not have a significant impact on the average wholesale electricity price. This shows a downward trend. In 2024, the average wholesale electricity price was just under €79 per MWh, in 2023 it was still €95 and in 2022 it was still €235. According to the BMWK, several factors have led to the unusually high electricity prices: These include an unusually low production of renewable electricity. Due to an unusual lull in the wind for this time of year, the production output from wind power was very low and the production of electricity from photovoltaics was also very low throughout the day. Another factor was the unavailability of power plants. On 12 December, an unusually large number of power plants were unavailable for the time of year, according to the ministry. One operator’s lignite plants with a capacity of almost 3 GW were unavailable due to extraction problems in opencast mining. Several gas-fired power plants were also unavailable. The BMWK report lists four possible solutions: the expansion of controllable generation capacity, the expansion of electricity storage systems, making the electricity system more flexible and further EU electricity market integration. More electricity trading with European electricity neighbours would ensure that consumers across Europe have access to the most cost-effective electricity generation and would help to cushion extreme prices across Europe. Questions about possible market manipulation were raised in the debate on the report. It was criticised that storage capacities and power plant reserves had not been expanded long ago. It was also suggested that consideration should be given to not having too many power plants undergoing maintenance or repairs at the same time.
Prospects for energy production from biogas: The prospects for the continued economic operation of a biogas plant after the end of the EEG subsidy always depend on the economic circumstances in each individual case. This is explained by the Federal Government in its answer (20/14584) to a minor interpellation ( 20/14368) from the FDP parliamentary group on the prospects for energy generation from biogas. According to the government, 4,979 biogas plants and 180 biomethane plants will reach the end of the twenty-year subsidy period under the EEG by 2030. In order to improve planning and investment security for existing biogas plants in the future electricity system, on 11 December 2024 the Federal Cabinet adopted the formulation aid submitted by the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection for an amendment proposed by the SPD and Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary groups to amend the EEG 2023 with regard to the regulations on bioenergy, the government explained in its response. Among other things, the tendering volume for biogas plants in the years 2025 to 2028 is to be increased from the current total of 2 GW to 2.3 GW, including the invoiced biomethane volumes, with the volumes for 2025 and 2026 in particular to be significantly increased. At the same time, the flexibilisation surcharge is to be increased from 65 euros/kW to 85 euros/kW and the duration of the follow-up funding is to be increased from ten to twelve years in order to ensure the overall economic viability of the plants.
Six billion euros for international climate financing: The German government has pledged to provide funds totalling six billion euros annually from budget resources – including gift equivalents – for international climate financing by 2025 at the latest. As it writes in the answer (20/14632) to a minor question (20/13701) from the FDP parliamentary group, a significant proportion of the German contribution comes from sources such as loans from the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau and leveraged private investments. The answer goes on to say that the German contribution in 2023 totalled 9.94 billion euros, of which 5.56 billion euros came from the budget including gift equivalents, 3.81 billion euros from mobilised public loans and capital market funds and 0.48 billion euros from mobilised private funds. According to the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the gift equivalent is a mathematical value that indicates the reduction in the interest rate of a subsidised loan compared to market conditions.
Environment Ministry reports on radiation exposure: The calculated total exposure in Germany is 3.8 millisieverts per person per year and has therefore not increased compared to the previous year. This is the result of the report on „Environmental radioactivity and radiation exposure in 2021“ (20/14495) presented by the Federal Government as a briefing. It provides information on the development of radioactivity in the environment and on the area of non-ionising radiation in the reporting year from 1 January to 31 December 2021. The Radiation Protection Act of 2017 stipulates that the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection must submit an annual report to the Bundestag and the Bundesrat. As the recently published report shows, medical radiation exposure from imaging procedures such as CT examinations accounts for half of the average total exposure per person. The average effective annual dose is around 1.6 millisieverts (data for 2018).
TAKEN LITERALLY:
Some parties are trying to outwit reality. They pretend that the climate problem does not exist. But reality doesn’t play along. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on the front page or talked about in the election campaign: The climate crisis is here – in all its forms, in all its injustice. It has long since entered the minds of most people, even if some in the CDU don’t want to admit it. I think it is a very risky endeavour to play hide and seek with our livelihoods. True to the motto: if we don’t look, we won’t see how they are on fire.
Luisa Neubauer, climate activist, pointed out that the effects of the climate crisis are already clearly noticeable worldwide and also in Germany. The increase in extreme weather events, such as floods, heatwaves and droughts, shows that the crisis is no longer a future problem, but has long since become a threat to many people. Nevertheless, many political decision-makers, especially from conservative parties such as the CDU, are trying to trivialise the problem or make it invisible by delaying decisions. According to Neubauer, the majority of the population has now recognised that the climate crisis is real and requires immediate action. People are concerned and are demanding effective measures from politicians. Nevertheless, the narrative that no drastic changes are necessary is still being maintained in political circles. She described this as extremely risky, as it would jeopardise the livelihoods of future generations. … Instead of symbolic measures, binding and concrete steps are needed to achieve the climate targets. These include, among other things, comprehensive investment in renewable energies and a sustainable reorganisation of the economy. The activist is said to have pointed out that without such measures it would be impossible to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. … Any further delay will increase the costs and risks of the climate crisis. People have a right to a policy that fulfils its responsibilities and no longer consists of empty promises. The time for political hide-and-seek is finally over.
rnd.de
AFRICA:
Sahel states: Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso officially withdraw from ECOWAS. voanews.com
Reaction to M23 offensive in DR Congo: Germany cancels talks with Rwanda. taz.de
Ghana: Security in the Sahel Mahama appoints experienced veteran to liaise with Sahel states. theafricareport.com
Kenya: Former rivals Gachagua and Karua join forces against Ruto. africareport.com
Central Africa: What the fighting in eastern Congo is all about. The east of the Democratic Republic of Congo has been embattled for decades. Now the conflict between the Congolese army and the M23 rebel militia is coming to a head. What the situation in Central Africa has to do with Europe..deutschlandfunk.de
Developing countries can no longer count on the USA when it comes to climate issues. What does this mean for Africa? The African continent is only responsible for around 4 per cent of global emissions, but is already being hit hard by the consequences of rising temperatures. As part of the climate negotiations, representatives of African countries are fighting for more financial support. nzz.ch
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
Shaping the future: EU invests in cutting-edge technology for microchips in AI and space: Today, chips are crucial for the networking of devices and AI applications. Europe wants to become more independent in this area, even though its position in chip production has weakened over the years. While one trillion microchips were produced worldwide in 2020, the EU only has a market share of ten per cent, while Asia dominates with over 70 per cent. The USA is also strongly represented. In order to increase its competitiveness, the EU has passed the European Chips Act, which has been in force since September 2023. With 43 billion euros in investments, the European market share is to be doubled to 20 per cent by 2030. These measures are intended to strengthen Europe’s position in semiconductor research and production. fair-economics.com
More deaths from extreme weather: A study in „Nature Medicine“ predicts that global warming will cause 2.3 million additional deaths in Europe over the next 75 years, mainly from heat-related deaths, while cold-related deaths will decrease. The research shows that average temperature rises of up to 5 degrees Celsius are expected in the Mediterranean region in particular, which could drastically increase the number of heat-related deaths in cities such as Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. The study, which analysed climate simulations in 854 cities from 30 countries, shows that the physical risks of climate change, including health hazards from high temperatures, must increasingly come into focus. The results suggest that without effective climate protection measures, deaths from heat will increase and exceed the number of deaths from cold, emphasising the urgency of adaptation strategies and preventive measures. taz.de, fr.de
Modular wind turbine wall to generate electricity offshore: In Norway, an innovative offshore wind turbine called Windcatcher is being developed by the company Wind Catching Systems, which consists of a framework with many small rotors on a floating platform that generate electricity. The demonstration plant off Bergen will comprise 40 wind turbines that can produce 99 gigawatt hours of electricity per year, and larger plants with up to 126 turbines are planned. The modular design of the windcatcher allows the standardised one-megawatt wind turbines to be easily assembled directly on the platform, making the use of special ships or cranes unnecessary. The Norwegian government is supporting the project with 1.2 billion Norwegian kroner and plans to develop areas for 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy by 2040, with the first windcatcher due to be completed in 2029. heise.de
CALENDAR:
25 – 26 February: E-World in Essen
The E-World Energy & Water trade fair in Essen describes itself as the leading European trade fair for the energy industry. Among other things, companies present solutions for energy generation, energy efficiency and energy storage.
To the website25 – 26 February: DGNB Annual Congress (digital)
The German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB) is the leading institution when it comes to making existing buildings more sustainable and climate-friendly. Ideas, approaches and current developments will be discussed at its annual digital congress.
To the website12 – 13 March: Circular Valley Convention in Düsseldorf
The Circular Valley Convention is being held in Düsseldorf for the first time. The trade fair format aims to provide a large stage for the topic of the circular economy. All players are to be networked in one place. The event is organised by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with the Circular Valley Foundation. | GREEN.WORKS is a media partner.
Website13 and 14 March: Cardle to Cradle Congress in Berlin
In March, the 9th edition of the Cradle to Cradle Congress will take place at the Technical University of Berlin. The internationally oriented event is aimed at all stakeholders in the cradle-to-cradle ecosystem and the circular economy.
To the website26-27 March: SZ Sustainability Forum Sustainable Finance and Impact Investing 2025 in Munich
The event organised by Süddeutsche Zeitung focuses on the topic of sustainable finance. On 26 March, the conference will focus on the topic of „Impact investing in real estate“, while on 27 March the focus will be on German and European sustainability policy.
To the website31 March – 1 April: Green Business Disruption Summit in Vienna
The Green Business Disruption Summit in Vienna is all about sustainable digitalisation. The conference will focus on topics such as sustainable digital business models, data and AI for sustainability and risk management & regulation.
To the website19 – 20 March: The 3rd European Automotive Decarbonisation and Sustainability Summit 2025 in Düsseldorf
The Automotive Decarbonization and Sustainability Summit takes place as part of the European Green Vehicle Congress and focuses on decarbonisation in the automotive sector. The event, which is aimed at managers from the automotive industry, will take place both in person and online.
To the website20 March: German Packaging Congress 2025 in Berlin
On 20 March, the German Packaging Congress celebrates its 20th anniversary. Under the motto „Challenge accepted! Mastering crises and utilising opportunities“, the conference will address topics along the packaging value chain.
To the website20 March: Urban Innovation Forum 2025 in Berlin
This year’s Urban Innovation Forum is aimed at representatives from the climate tech sector. The event aims to bring together start-ups, investors, politicians and decision-makers from the business world. To the website
5 – 7 May (digital) and 26 – 28 May: Berlin Energy Days in Berlin
The Berlin Energy Days will take place in 2025 as a digital event and then in person in Berlin. The conference describes itself as „The leading event of the energy transition in Germany“ and is, according to its own statement, the largest congress in the energy and climate protection sector in German-speaking countries.
To the website22 – 26 April: Hannover Messe in Hanover
This year’s motto at the world’s most important industrial trade fair is „Shaping the Future with Technology“. Companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and digital industries as well as the energy sector will be demonstrating how climate neutrality can be achieved through electrification, digitalisation and automation.
Go to website24 – 26 April: ChangeNow! in Paris
ChangeNow! in Paris describes itself as the „event with the greatest impact for the planet“. For three days, it offers a mixture of trade fair, conference and meetings. The aim is to bring together more than 35,000 people. The list of speakers includes well-known representatives from politics, companies and NGOs.
To the website29 April: Sustainable Investment Forum Europe 2024 in Paris
The congress is primarily aimed at investors and asset managers. The trade fair is organised by the Climate Action organisation in cooperation with the UN Environment Programme.
To the website29 April: Digisustain in Frankfurt
The name, a portmanteau of „digitalisation“ and „sustainability“, is intended to be the programme for Digisustain. The trade fair is designed as a B2B conference and revolves around digitalisation and future technologies in connection with sustainability.
To the website11 March: Circular Design Summit 2025 in Stuttgart
The Circular Design Summit brings together leading minds from business, industry and design who share a common vision: economic success in harmony with ecological sustainability. Find out how Circular Design – design for the circular economy – is driving the transformation of the economy and how you can become part of this development. to the website
5 – 6 May: Global Solutions Summit in Berlin
The Global Solutions Summit is an international conference that addresses the most important political challenges facing the G20, the G7 and other global governance bodies. The event brings together high-calibre representatives from politics, academia, think tanks, international organisations and companies. Online participation is possible. To the website
6. – 7. Mai: OMR Festival 2024 in Hamburg
Das OMR Festival in der Messe Hamburg gilt als Mekka der deutschen Marketingszene und bezeichnet sich selbst als „Das Festival für das Digitale Universum“. Aber auch für das Thema Nachhaltigkeit und Klimaschutz hat die Veranstaltung Relevanz, ein Teil des Programms wird sich voraussichtlich wie im vergangenen Jahr um Nachhaltigkeitsthemen drehen.
Zur Website21 May: Fashion Law – 2nd German Fashion Law Day in Berlin
Legal issues relating to sustainability transformation play an important role for the textile industry. The exact programme for the event is yet to be announced.
To the website12 – 14 May: Global Water Summit in Paris
Water is becoming an increasingly important issue in the face of climate change. Germany is also affected by water stress. The Global Water Summit in Paris brings together decision-makers from the water industry; the theme of this year’s event is „Accelerating Investment“.
To the website
20 – 22 May: Greentech Festival and Greentech Conference in BerlinThe Greentech Festival is one of the largest sustainability conferences in Germany. The Greentech Conference, where stakeholders from politics and business discuss sustainable business solutions, takes place as part of the trade fair. In 2025, the conference will be divided into the areas of Mobility & Transport, Energy & Infrastructure and Industry & Materials.
22 – 23 May: Circular Republic Festival in Munich
Several thousand participants attended the first Circular Republic Festival in Munich. The second edition of the circular economy event will take place on 22 and 23 May 2025. It describes itself as „Europe’s leading event for innovations in the circular economy“. Companies, start-ups and visionaries are invited to discuss topics such as resource scarcity, climate change and supply chain resilience. | GREEN.WORKS is a media partner.
To the website26 – 28 May: Re:publica in Berlin
The Re:publica digital conference discusses the influence of digitalisation on the economy and society. In 2025, the festival will be held under the motto „Generation XYZ“. It is also about finding sustainable solutions for the economy of tomorrow.
To the website2 – 3 June: Hamburg Sustainability Conference
The motto of the Hamburg Sustainability Conference is „Together We Co-Create Sustainable Development“. The conference in Hamburg will focus on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The aim of the event is to bring together leaders from politics, business, science and civil society from all over the world to explore opportunities and practical ways to achieve the 17 sustainability goals.
To the website2 – 3 June: ZNU Future Conference in Ludwigsburg
The event discusses solutions and ways to achieve greater climate protection and sustainability in companies. It is one of the established and renowned events on the sustainability scene and is organised by the Centre for Sustainable Leadership at Witten/Herdecke University.
To the website3 – 4 June: Scope 3 Innovation Forum in Amsterdam
The Scope 3 Innovation Forum focuses on the challenge of Scope 3 emissions. The conference in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, will discuss opportunities and innovations that can be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the value chain.
To the website10 – 12 June: European Sustainable Energy Week 2025 in Brussels and online
The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is the largest annual event on renewable energy and efficient energy use in Europe. It is organised by the European Commission and takes place in the Belgian capital.
To the website16 – 18 June: European Climate Change Adaptation Conference 2025 in Rimini
The ECCAC is centred around the topic of climate adaptation. Experts will come together in Rimini, Italy, to discuss smarter, faster and more systematic climate adaptation in Europe.
To the website25 – 26 June: Sustainability Summit in Hamburg
The Sustainability Summit in Hamburg is a trade fair and conference for sustainability in business, which will take place for the second time in 2025. The summit is aimed at companies and start-ups. In the exhibition area, participants present their IT solutions for sustainability and ESG.
To the website1 – 2 July: LZ Summit Packaging & Sustainability in FrankfurtThe conference is aimed at executives and managers in the field of sustainability management and strategy and focuses on optimising sustainable corporate management in the consumer goods industry.
Go to website21 – 22 July: Sustainability Standards Conference 2024 in Frankfurt
The German Accounting Standards Committee (GASC), the IFRS Foundation, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main and the Leibniz Institute for Financial Research SAFE are jointly organising the Sustainability Standards Conference. The conference will focus on the implementation and further development of IFRS sustainability standards
To the website2 – 3 September: Carbon Capture Global Summit in London
The Carbon Capture Global Summit 2025 aims to advance the capture and storage of CO2. The conference in London brings together industry representatives, political decision-makers, investors, financiers and buyers.
To the website9. – 10 September: BME Sustainable Procurement Summit 2025 in Darmstadt
The BME Sustainability Summit is a conference organised by the German Association of Materials Management, Purchasing and Logistics, which focuses on the topic of sustainable procurement.
To the website17 – 18 September: Impact Festival in Frankfurt
The Impact Festival is a meeting place for greentech start-ups and SMEs, corporate sustainability managers and investors. In 2025, the conference will take place for the fifth time – and for the second time at the Messe Frankfurt exhibition centre.
To the website21 – 28 September: Climate Week NYC in New York
Climate Week is an annual event that takes place in New York and offers over 900 events and activities in the city. Every year, decision-makers from business, politics and civil society travel to the conference to debate transformation and climate change.
To the website24 September: TW Sustainability Summit in Hamburg
The Sustainability Summit of the textile industry (TW) is an industry meeting point for all those who have set out to achieve greater sustainability in the fashion industry – from big players to first movers.25 – 26 September: German Climate Management Conference in Hamburg
The conference will focus on the topic of climate stress, which will be viewed primarily from the perspective of municipalities and local authorities.
To the website25 – 26 September: ESG Reporting and Management 2025 in Düsseldorf
The conference, organised by Handelsblatt, focuses on the topics of sustainability reporting and ESG management. In person and digitally.
To the website
3– 4 November: Dena Energy Transition Congress in BerlinAt the Energy Transition Congress organised by the German Energy Agency (Dena), more than 1,200 high-calibre participants from business, politics and science will meet to discuss climate protection and the integrated energy transition. The Dena Energy Efficiency Award will also be presented to companies with innovative concepts as part of the congress.
To the website10 – 21 November: World Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém (Brazil)
Against the backdrop of increased weather extremes and natural disasters, the parties to the Paris Climate Agreement 2025 will meet in the Brazilian city of Belém to discuss the next steps towards achieving the global climate targets.
More information13 – 14 November: EcoCompute in Berlin
After taking place in Munich last year, EcoCompute will be held in Berlin in 2025. It is dedicated to digital sustainability in hardware and software and, according to the organisers, aims to provide a platform for experts to discuss current trends, research and practices in the field of green technology.
To the website17 – 21 November: Euro Finance Week with Green Finance Forum in Frankfurt
As part of the Euro Finance Week organised by the dfv Media Group, the Green Finance Forum will once again take place in 2025, focusing on ESG and green investments. It will take place on the second day of the conference (18 November) and will bring together high-calibre speakers.
To the website02 – 05 December: Global Carbon Markets Conference in Barcelona
The Global Carbon Markets Conference 2024 organised by financial specialist S&P will focus on the development of the global carbon markets. Market participants will gain insights and background information on what they need to prepare for the future.
To the website04 – 05 December: 18th German Sustainability Day and 18th German Sustainability Award in Düsseldorf
The German Sustainability Day is a firm fixture in the annual event calendar. The German Sustainability Award is also presented as part of the conference. Every year, companies are honoured in various categories in the most comprehensive national sustainability competition. The „Next Economy Award“ is also presented to particularly innovative start-ups.
To the website
Expected in September: UBA and BMUV Blue Compass award ceremony in Berlin
Every year, the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry for the Environment award the „Blue Compass“ prize to five companies, municipalities, research and educational institutions and associations that can present innovative, effective and sustainable solutions for dealing with the effects of climate change.
Expected in November: Circulaze Summit 2025 in Munich
The Circulaze Summit is once again expected to take place in Munich in late autumn 2025. The conference is centred around the topic of the circular economy and is aimed at circular economy start-ups as well as companies active in this field and their managers.
To the website
Probably November: 10th annual conference of the Climate Economy Foundation in Berlin
The annual conference of the Climate Economy Foundation is expected to take place again in November. The event, which will probably host its tenth edition in 2025, is aimed at experts from politics, business and science.
To the website
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