to the German edition
Traffic light coalition postpones climate protection: After lengthy negotiations, the SPD, Greens and FDP parliamentary groups in the Bundestag have agreed a reform of the Climate Protection Act and a support package for the solar industry, which are intended to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and abolish sector-specific targets. Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) announced that this agreement means that driving bans, which he had previously threatened as a possible measure to achieve the climate targets, are definitely off the table. The previous weekend, with its heated debate about fictitious driving bans, was evidently enough. After a long period of stalemate, the traffic light coalition has now also reached an agreement on the reform of the Climate Protection Act. In contrast to the solar package, there does not yet appear to be a comparable bill for the Climate Protection Act. Energy economist Claudia Kemfert from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) welcomes the German government’s agreement on the Climate Protection Act, as it is closely linked to key projects and legislative packages, particularly in the area of renewable energies. Kemfert criticises the fact that such „horse-trading“ was necessary. rnd.de. spiegel.de, klimareporter.de (Kemfert), mdr.de (commentary)
„Germany has a leading role in climate policy in Europe“: EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra recently visited Germany and, in his opinion, it is unfair to characterise the country as a laggard when it comes to climate protection. He emphasises the urgency of the global climate crisis and calls for increased investment from public and private sources to accelerate the implementation of the Green Deal. Despite some setbacks, such as the slow progress in the transport and agriculture sectors, Hoekstra remains optimistic about achieving the EU’s climate targets. He argues in favour of ensuring competitiveness, involving businesses and convincing citizens of the fairness of the transformation processes in order to achieve the ambitious targets of reducing emissions by 90% by 2040 and pleads for better implementation and planning in the coming years. zeit.de
36 trillion euros in damage per year
A reassessment of climate damage shows that a 19 per cent global loss of income is to be expected by 2049. The debate on financing climate protection is a key stumbling block in the transition away from fossil fuels, as the costs of proactive measures are high. However, a study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research shows that the economic damage from inaction on climate change could be considerably higher, with projected global losses of up to €36 trillion annually by 2049. The study emphasises the urgency of stronger climate action and argues that the damage from climate change will hit economically weaker countries, which have historically contributed less to global emissions, particularly hard.
Beautiful new Ahr valley: The ambitious 100 million euro project to revitalise the Ahr and its banks aims to transform the Ahr valley into a showcase for ecological river restoration throughout Germany. However, the plans face significant challenges, particularly in the area of environmental protection, which is proving to be the biggest obstacle to progress. In addition, the river’s biodiversity has suffered badly: many native species have disappeared, while invasive species are on the rise, highlighting the urgency of comprehensive and effective conservation measures. focus.de
Sustainability falls into huge financial hole: A new UN report reveals a huge funding gap in the global sustainability agenda, with the climate crisis further exacerbating the situation. The report warns that without a massive boost in financing and an overhaul of the international financial architecture, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will not be achievable. In view of rising debt and insufficient development contributions from industrialised countries, it is clear that the world is at a critical point that requires urgent and increased investment if the global sustainability goals are to be achieved. klimareporter.de
Renaissance of nuclear power through mini nuclear power plants: In Germany, the discussion about a possible comeback of nuclear energy through the use of smaller, safer and more cost-effective Small Modular Reactors (SMR), which are being positioned as an alternative to traditional large-scale power plants, is flaring up. Despite the theoretical advantages of this technology, such as lower costs and increased safety, experts are sceptical about its economic viability and practical implementation, particularly in view of the cost overruns of large-scale projects and the unresolved issue of the final disposal of nuclear waste. heute.de
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Der Schutz unserer Meere
Threats, opportunities and legal situation of a unique ecosystem
Detlef Czybulka reaches deep into the extensive treasure chest of his experience as a legal scholar and interdisciplinary marine researcher. Over 430 pages, he takes the reader into the wondrous depths of the oceans, from the unknown coral reefs of the north-east Atlantic to the pressing legal and ecological challenges facing our seas today. Czybulka masterfully manages to portray the immense biodiversity of the oceans and their importance for the global ecosystem without neglecting the complexity of the legal situation. He precisely illuminates how overfishing, pollution and the constant noise pollution of the oceans not only threaten marine habitats, but also represent a „twin crisis“ alongside global warming. Particularly valuable is the clear presentation of the legal framework – a well-founded overview of international, European and national conventions and laws that provides a valuable resource for both laypeople and experts.
However, the author never loses sight of the ethical and pragmatic aspects of marine conservation and argues convincingly why marine nature conservation is inadequate in German waters in particular and what opportunities exist to preserve the biological diversity of the seas and oceans more effectively.
„Protecting our Seas“ is therefore not only an appeal to the awareness of its readers, but also an urgent wake-up call to recognise and implement the need for legal and environmental protection measures. With his in-depth analysis and vivid descriptions, Czybulka sets new standards in the literature on marine ecology and environmental law. An absolute must-read for anyone who wants to take a stand for the preservation of our blue planet. oekom.de
In a nutshell:
Victoria Falls: an endangered wonder. fair-economics.de
Our ocean – Conference in Athens: States donate a good nine billion euros to protect the world’s oceans. zeit.de
BGH examines: When can climate neutrality be advertised? stern.de
EU: More subsidies for less sustainability in agriculture. energiezukunft.de
Climate crisis: How safe is the coast? ndr.de
Expert advice on climate issues: sharply criticises the Ministry of Transport in its report. But another sector is also threatening the climate targets. t-online.de
Cheap meat: How EU agricultural aid exacerbates the climate crisis and benefits the USA and China. telepolis.de
Letta report: What lies ahead for Europe’s energy sector. euractiv.de
Grid study: Two small changes to the EEG could be enough to significantly alleviate the problem of the increasing shortage of free grid capacity for the expansion of renewables.contextcrew.de
„Unachievable“: Scotland cancels its own climate target for 2030.welt.de
States see federal government behind schedule: Germany ticket price to be introduced in autumn. n-tv.de
Transport ministers‘ conference: Revitalisation attempts for the 30 km/h speed limit amendment. faz.net
German hydrogen pioneer: Hoeller Electrolyzer insolvent. blackoutnews.de
E-mobility in crisis: Tesla is experiencing significant job cuts as the company cuts over 14,000 jobs worldwide due to disappointing demand for electric cars, including potential cuts at its Grünheide plant in Germany. The entire electric car industry, including big names such as Volkswagen and Mercedes, is facing challenges as actual sales figures fall short of expected targets, leading industry experts to take a critical look at the future of e-mobility. rnd.de
Key areas of sustainable urban development: In its strategy for sustainable urban development, German development cooperation focuses on the areas of construction, mobility, water, waste and digitalisation in order to both improve the quality of life in urban areas and promote global climate protection. The initiative promotes the use of climate-friendly building materials, recycling within closed-loop systems and supports the creation of affordable and sustainable housing, especially for disadvantaged population groups. In addition to building infrastructure, it emphasises the importance of public green spaces, which contribute to improving urban air quality and temperature regulation as well as strengthening resilience to climate impacts. bmz.de
Traditional German company achieves green glass revolution for the first time: The glass company Schott has made a significant advance in sustainable production by melting optical glass exclusively with hydrogen as an energy source on an industrial scale for the first time. This breakthrough could transform energy-intensive glass production, which previously relied on natural gas, although full conversion to this technology still requires further long-term testing and a reliable hydrogen supply. focus.de
Methane as a raw material: Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) are developing an innovative process to produce green hydrogen by pyrolysis of synthetic methane produced in sunny and windy countries. This technology uses green electricity for electrolysis, combined with the capture of CO2 from the air to produce methane, which is then broken down into hydrogen and solid carbon, whereby the carbon can be utilised in various industries or stored permanently. Despite the high energy input for the overall process, the Empa researchers offer a sustainable solution that is not only climate-friendly, but also has the potential to become economically viable through the commercialisation of the carbon. ingenieur.de
The seventeen goals magazine tells inspiring stories about how people move the world and shows how everyone can make a contribution to achieving the sustainability goals.
PODCAST OF THE WEEK:
The power of the little people
In a podcast, art historian Loel Zwecker highlights the role of ordinary people in overcoming major challenges and emphasises that individual actions can also have a significant impact in the current global crisis of climate change. Despite the feeling of powerlessness in the face of major political and industrial powers, Zwecker points out that historical examples such as the anti-slavery movement prove that change often comes from grassroots movements driven by ordinary people. These insights encourage us not to lose hope in the fight against climate change and to actively campaign for sustainable change. mdr.de
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
The crisis winners: Much remains to be done on climate protection!
In his commentary, Caspar Schwietering criticises the fact that Germany’s progress in climate protection is mainly due to the current economic crisis, which cannot be seen as a sustainable strategy. Despite a ten per cent drop in emissions in 2023, mainly due to reduced industrial production, he warns against resting on one’s laurels and calls for stronger measures, particularly in the transport sector. Schwietering proposes reducing emissions through simple measures such as speed limits or promoting the purchase of electric vehicles through higher taxes on combustion cars in order to achieve the climate targets in the long term and not be dependent on the fluctuating economic situation. tagesspiegel.de
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
No violation of climate protection law: In its response to a minor question from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, the German government has emphasised that it sees no violation of the Federal Climate Protection Act, despite a ruling by the Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg, which calls for immediate measures in transport and buildings. The court had ruled that Germany was not fulfilling its climate targets in these areas and that the government must therefore take action. However, the German government argues that the Climate Action Programme 2023 adopted on 4 October 2023 already contains necessary measures and that it is possible to integrate immediate action programmes and climate action programmes into an overarching concept.
Answer to enquiry on water strategy: The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) is working intensively on an implementation plan for the National Water Strategy, which is being developed in close cooperation with the federal states and other key stakeholders and is to be completed by the second quarter of 2024. This is the answer to a minor enquiry. This process includes coordinated cooperation through the Federal/Länder Working Group on Water (LAWA) and an interministerial Interministerial Working Group (IMA), which steers activities at national level. With a defined framework for short and medium-term measures to be implemented by 2025 and 2030, the most urgent actions are currently being prioritised to ensure that the most important measures are implemented quickly.
Status of work on the climate adaptation strategy: The Federal Cabinet plans to discuss an advanced climate adaptation strategy in the 51st calendar week, a project that goes back to the recently passed Federal Climate Adaptation Act. This is stated in the response from the responsible ministry. In the run-up to this discussion, there will be extensive consultations in which the federal states and other stakeholders and citizens will be intensively involved. This involvement has already begun with informal expert discussions and workshops over the course of the year and will continue with a formal consultation of the draft strategy in the third quarter of 2024, with the final strategy with measurable targets to be presented by 30 September 2025.
Report on the circular economy: The report „Circular Economy – Challenges and Ways of Transformation“ is now available as a briefing by the German government (20/10950). The report speaks of a „triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution of ecosystems“. The paper summarises the contents of other transformation reports, which are to be incorporated into the revision of the German Sustainability Strategy. For a circular economy that secures the supply of raw materials and supply chains, the transformation of production and consumption patterns must therefore happen faster than before. In addition to the transformation of the entire energy sector, it is also crucial to focus on the consumption of other raw materials. Then a circular economy could also increase resilience and create new business models, the authors write.
TAKEN LITERALLY:
In China, emissions are measured in two ways: directly and indirectly. If you do it directly, you have equipment that actually measures the emissions, which is expensive and does not scale well to a nationwide scale. The indirect method involves the use of emission factors, which means that for each product group, such as steel, there is a formula according to which each unit produced causes a certain amount of emissions. In reality, of course, it’s more complicated because you have to look at the processes in detail, including waste heat and all the trimmings.
Janz Chiang, a climate policy analyst in Beijing, explained that China is working hard to improve its carbon capture and accounting systems to increase the accuracy of emissions control and meet international requirements, particularly the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The national emissions trading system, which so far mainly covers energy producers, is currently being expanded to include other sectors such as cement and aluminium. This is part of a broader strategy to achieve EU recognition of China’s emissions accounting and to drive forward the comprehensive decarbonisation of Chinese industry.
AFRICA:
Sudanese exiles in Egypt are facing a difficult situation. Many of them have sought refuge in Egypt, but find themselves at an impasse as the country offers few prospects. This situation was analysed in detail in an article in Le Monde Afrique.
In Algeria, the country experienced a remarkable social movement when the first KFC opened. An example of how globalised brands are absorbed into the local culture and the challenges that can arise. Le Monde Afrique
In Benin, police controls, which often degenerate into violence, have led to profound tensions in the country. This topic was taken up by rfi.afrique on 19 April 2024 and discusses the pressing social issues that threaten the country’s stability.
Botswana has been the focus of international human rights discussions after churches there rejected a proposal to recognise LGBTQ rights. This development was reported on voanews.com on 18 April 2024 and sheds light on the social struggles for equality.
The pro-Russian junta in Burkina Faso has expelled French diplomats from the country. The move highlights the increasingly complex geopolitical relationship and Russia’s growing influence in the region. bbc.com
In Kenya, army chief dies in helicopter crash. General Francis Ogolla and other high-ranking military officers have died in a helicopter crash in Kenya. They were on their way to coordinate the army’s fight against cattle rustlers. The cause of the accident is being investigated. spiegel.de
The Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to be at the centre of international attention due to ongoing violence and instability, particularly in the eastern provinces. The call for more investment in these areas by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights was addressed in The East African, among others, in order to improve the human rights situation and promote lasting peace.
In the last two weeks, severe flooding in Tanzania has claimed the lives of 58 people and affected more than 100,000 people. The coastal regions of the country have been hit particularly hard. The government has announced plans to build 14 dams to prevent future flooding. Four months ago, floods in northern Tanzania led to the deaths of at least 63 people and triggered devastating landslides. Over 75,000 farms were damaged and essential goods were distributed to those affected. Other parts of East Africa are also currently experiencing heavy rainfall. aljazeera.com
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
Gentrification promotes biodiversity in cities: A study in the USA shows that although gentrification has negative effects for many people, such as rising rents and displacement, it can have a positive impact on urban biodiversity. Researchers found that an average of 13 per cent more mammal species live in gentrified neighbourhoods than in non-gentrified areas, which is mainly attributed to the creation of new parks and green spaces. These semi-natural spaces offer many animal species a retreat from everyday urban life, but the scientists also emphasise the need to design these spaces in a way that promotes social justice and provides access to nature for all urban communities. spiegel.de
Climate change impacts – How genetic engineering can help: Despite ongoing consumer scepticism about genetically modified foods, which have had to be labelled for 20 years, genetic engineering offers potential solutions to the problems in agriculture caused by climate change. Researchers, such as Professor Andreas Houben from the Leibniz Institute, emphasise the benefits of the Crispr/Cas9 gene scissors, which could help to make plants more resistant to extreme weather conditions and speed up the breeding process. Although these technologies have the potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production, public opinion remains divided and regulators in the EU and Germany face the challenge of creating a framework that encourages innovation without compromising safety and ecological integrity. heute.de
CALENDAR:
Consultation on the Federal Government’s draft bill to amend the Renewable Energy Sources Act
and other energy industry regulations to increase the expansion of photovoltaic energy generation (Solar Package I)Time: Monday, 22 April 2024, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Venue: Berlin, Reichstag building, meeting room PRT 3 S 001Draft law of the Federal Government
Draft law to amend the Renewable Energy Sources Act and other energy industry regulations to increase the expansion of photovoltaic energy generation, BT-Drs. 20/8657
Due to the limited space available in the meeting room, internal and external visitors are requested to register with the secretariat of the Committee for Climate Protection and Energy by no later than 19 April 2024, 12:00 noon by sending an email to klima-energie@bundestag.de
. External visitors are requested to provide their date of birth. The date of birth will be compared with the police information system (INPOL) and used exclusively for admission control. The data will be deleted at the end of the visit.
Consultation on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)
Time: Wednesday, 24 April 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Place: Berlin, Paul Löbe House, meeting room E 700Motion by the CDU/CSU parliamentary group
„Continue to utilise the advantages of perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances – maintain added value – protect health and the environment, (BT-Drs. 20/9736)“
Registration for public hearings
If you would like to attend a public hearing as a member of the audience, please send your
surname, first name and date of birth by 4 p.m. on the Tuesday before the hearing toumweltausschuss@bundestag.de
Phone: +49 30 227 37221
Fax: +49 30 227 36250If you are restricted in your mobility, please let us know so that we can assist you if necessary
THE LAST:
US copyright for adaptation of Roman from ChatGPT
In the realm of literature, where pen and ink usually reign supreme, modern-day heroine Elisa Shupe has introduced a new weapon: artificial intelligence. With the tenacity of a retired soldier, she marched to the US Copyright Office to have her novel „AI Machinations: Tangled Webs and Typed Words“, cobbled together with AI, protected. The result? The Copyright Office, which is obviously still living in the analogue Stone Age, decided that although the entire book can be protected, the individual sentences are fair game for everyone. So if you happen to need brilliant one-liners in the near future – help yourself! Elisa, who doesn’t see AI as a writing machine but rather as a creative cane, had hoped to get an exemption because she can’t concentrate for long. However, the Office did not play ball and her first request was rejected. But with the help of Jonathan Askin, a law professor who took up her cause out of compassion or a sense of adventure, she stormed the bureaucratic barricades again and this time was successful. The whole thing has a funny flavour: the US Copyright Office, an institution that is apparently still trying to decipher Morse code, has now decided to protect the book as a whole. However, the parts that make it up are still outlawed. Perhaps Shupe’s next work should be called „Open Source Poetry“ – fully usable by the general public, in the spirit of modern copyright law! heise.de
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All images, unless otherwise stated: pixabay.com
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