to the German edition
Peruvian farmer loses – and changes climate law: The Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya has officially lost his lawsuit against the energy company RWE – and yet sent an important signal. The Hamm Higher Regional Court dismissed the claim for cost sharing for protection against glacial flooding. However, the court made it clear that large CO₂ polluters can be held liable in principle – even across continents. A legal loophole has been opened. This increases the risk of future climate lawsuits for companies. For those affected worldwide, the judgement means that global responsibility could become actionable in local courts. The road is still rocky – but it leads further. fair-economics.de, tagesschau.de, justiz.nrw.de
Climate protection with a back door – criticism of the German government’s CCS plans: The new German government is planning to continue focussing on fossil fuels with the controversial CCS technology (carbon capture and storage) – instead of systematically abandoning it. Sustainability expert Felix Ekardt criticises this course as expensive, risky and misleading in terms of climate policy. CCS is neither market-ready nor reliable – and distracts from proven alternatives such as energy efficiency, renewables, peatland and forest protection. Particularly problematic: billions in climate protection funds could be used for questionable technologies instead of effective measures. zeit.de
50 hot days: climate change doubles extreme temperatures in Germany
In the last twelve months, Germany has experienced 50 extreme heat days – twice as many as would have been expected without climate change. This is the result of a new analysis by Climate Central and partner organisations. Around half of these days are directly attributable to man-made global warming. Around four billion people worldwide were affected by at least 30 additional heatwave days. Researchers warn of increasing health risks – especially for the elderly, pregnant women and children. noz.de
Tax package planned – investment incentives and e-car promotion: Federal Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil (SPD) wants to relieve companies of tax burdens and promote investments with a new law. Special depreciation allowances of 30 per cent are planned for investments between 2025 and 2027 as well as a staggered reduction in corporation tax from 15 per cent to ten per cent by 2032. Particularly attractive: from July 2025, companies will be able to write off 75 per cent of the purchase price of electric cars in the first year. The total volume of tax relief is set to rise to 17 billion euros by 2029. The draft law is currently being coordinated between the ministries – individual federal states have already criticised it. spiegel.de
EU climate target 2040 – Commission wants to count CO₂ credits from abroad: According to insiders, the EU Commission is planning to allow international CO₂ credits to count towards the 2040 climate target. The 90 per cent target for reducing emissions by 2040 could thus be achieved with less of a burden on industry and member states. Instead of relying purely on domestic measures, climate projects abroad should be allowed to count towards the target. Critics warn of a watering down of climate policy – supporters see this as a pragmatic way to reach an agreement. The official proposal is expected on 2 July. n-tv.de
Colder weather drives up energy consumption and CO₂ emissions: Energy consumption in Germany rose by 5.5 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year. The main reason for this was the weather: cool temperatures and little wind led to a higher demand for heating and less electricity production from renewable sources. Instead, more coal, gas and oil-fired power plants were used – with correspondingly higher emissions. According to AG Energiebilanzen, energy-related CO₂ emissions rose by around seven per cent as a result. The decline in wind and hydropower was particularly significant, while solar power continued to increase. spiegel.de
European companies call for a more ambitious climate target for 2040: Around 150 European companies – including DAX companies such as SAP, Allianz and the Otto Group – have issued an open letter calling on the EU to significantly tighten its climate target for 2040. They are calling for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of at least 90 per cent compared to 1990 – as a lower rather than an upper limit. The aim is to strengthen Europe’s resilience, competitiveness and energy security. So far, there is no binding interim target for 2040 – the current EU target only envisages climate neutrality by 2050. zeit.de
1.5-degree target topples – tipping points approaching: The world is heading towards dangerous global warming much faster than previously thought. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), the global average temperature could permanently exceed the 1.5 degree mark as early as 2027 – earlier than ever before predicted. This is due to rising emissions, less cooling air pollution and the additional effects of the El Niño phenomenon. This means that irreversible tipping points such as the melting of the ice sheets or the death of coral reefs are coming dangerously close. Researchers speak of the end of a hopeful phase – and warn that without a drastic change of course, there will soon only be Plan B left – and that is geoengineering. fr.de
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Umwege. Essays für schwieriges Terrain
How we do not lose hope despite all realism
With Detours, Rebecca Solnit presents a collection of essays that impress in equal measure with their poetic language and intellectual depth. The German edition, translated by Michaela Grabinger, offers an impressive insight into Solnit’s world of thought, which deals with topics such as the climate crisis, the threat to democracy and women’s rights.
Solnit begins with a reflection on a 300-year-old violin, which symbolises sustainability and the connection between humans and nature. She sheds light on the role of childless women in society and criticises the concentration of power among billionaires, which undermines democratic processes. She manages to combine personal anecdotes with global challenges to provide a profound analysis of our times.
A central theme of the book is hope. Solnit argues that hope is not naïve optimism, but a conscious decision to keep going despite uncertainties and setbacks. She emphasises the importance of stories and narratives in shaping our perception of the world and enabling change. As she said in an interview: „I see slowness as a worldview that enables us to do what needs to be done, faster.“ The Observer
Solnit’s essays are a call to action, a plea for patience and perseverance in times of change. She shows that change often happens in a roundabout way and that unpredictability is precisely where opportunities lie. Her texts are an invitation to see the world with new eyes and to actively participate in shaping it.
Umwege is an inspiring work that encourages readers not to lose hope despite all the challenges and to work towards a fairer and more sustainable future. rowohlt.de
Short and sweet:
After criticism from the Greens:German government wants to increase climate investments. merkur.de
Green Claims Directive: Associations call for a halt to the trilogue process. markenartikel-magazin.de
Tobacco consumption in public places: France imposes smoking bans on beaches, in parks and in front of schools, but not for e-cigarettes. n-tv.de
UN examines budget and staff cuts: Total budget to be reduced by 20 per cent. sn.at
What the new EU water strategy means: voluntary instead of mandatory. fair-economics.de
Climate group New generation: „Parliament of the people“ and protest week. stern.de
US Environmental Protection Agency: Wants to scrap greenhouse gas limits for coal and gas-fired power plants. wiwo.de
Trifluoroacetic acid: The controversial chemical TFA is now officially classified as a reproductive toxicant. klimareporter.de
Sustainable governance: Germany in fifth place in OECD comparison. rnd.de
Climate collapse in the Alps: Why permafrost and ice are becoming a danger. focus.de
The green competition of systems:And what Trump has to do with it. fair-economics.de
It’s getting more expensive for tourists: Hawaii introduces climate tax. utopia.de
Migratory birds in climate change: Rattling stork , climate, cannibalism: Do we need to rethink the migratory bird? mdr.de
Deutscher Ärztetag: More consideration for the climate and environment when prescribing medication. aerztezeitung.de
Environmental and nature conservation: Fewer and fewer birds in German gardens. sueddeutsche.de
Space: Accelerating climate change? tagesschau.de
Federal Development Minister warns of inability to act: Germany already missed the UN target for supporting poorer countries last year. Further cuts are imminent. dw.com
Traffic turnaround: How cities are making motorways disappear. derstandard.at
Bahn presents the KIRA project: Public transport – on demand and autonomous. tagesschau.de
Transport in Germany: Autonomous driving is turning transport policy on its head. kommunal.de
Competition for Deutsche Bahn: The travel provider Flix wants to offer more and also cross-border train connections and has ordered 65 high-speed trains. br.de
Sustainability: Germans are commuting less by car. vision-mobility.de
Airlines: EU reform could significantly weaken air passenger rights. sueddeutsche.de
Bankruptcy: The German eMobility Association has now filed for insolvency. welt.de
Booking international train tickets like flying: Travelling by train across national borders is often complicated. It starts with buying tickets. Things are set to get better soon. saarbrücker-zeitung.de
Five tonnes per day: Europe’s most powerful hydrogen filling station opens. ingenieur.de
Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien: Urges more „green hydrogen made in Germany“. hzwei.info
Lubmin: From Russian Nord Stream gas to hydrogen. ndr.de
Neom becomes a bottomless pit for the Saudi royal family: The Saudi megaproject Neom and the connected hydrogen projects are stalling. The country has money worries and too few customers. wiwo.de
Wind energy meets hydrogen: Enertrag launches innovative Mattheshöhe wind field. offshore-windenergie.de
New development: Germany’s energy-intensive industries benefit from new ammonia project. marktsteel.de
VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
Marine researcher: „The ocean is our greatest guarantor against the climate crisis“
PODCAST OF THE WEEK:
New study dispels myths about electric cars
Expensive, harmful to the environment, dangerous – preconceptions about electric cars are persistent. But how much of it is really true? In a recent article, energy economist Claudia Kemfert analyses a new study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research and brings clarity to the debate.
In the interview, she explains why electric cars are often the better choice compared to combustion engines – also in terms of their carbon footprint. At the same time, she points out where there are still problems, such as the expansion of the charging infrastructure and user-friendliness.
Another topic: why wind turbines are often switched off despite electricity demand – and why the idea of using surplus energy for hydrogen production has not yet been consistently implemented.
🎧 Listen in now and have your say: mdr.de
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
The mountain warns
by Joachim Wille
The landslide in Valais has shaken us – and rightly so. It is all the more thought-provoking that experts see a clear link to global warming.
The landslide in the Swiss Valais that destroyed the village of Blatten is not just a natural disaster – it is also a clear warning signal. Experts such as permafrost researcher Christophe Lambiel see a clear connection with global warming: the soils in the Alps above 3,000 metres have heated up considerably in recent years, especially since 2022. The thawing of the permafrost is destabilising entire mountain slopes.
The incident shows how real the effects of climate change already are – even with global warming of „only“ 1.5 degrees. The catastrophe in Blatten is a stark reminder: without effective climate protection, there is a risk of even more serious consequences in the future. The mountain warns – we should listen. The whole commentary is available at klimareporter.de
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
Legal proceedings involving the BMZ: In a minor interpellation (21/260), the AfD parliamentary group enquired about legal proceedings involving the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) or the responsible federal minister. The focus is on both judicial and extrajudicial proceedings as well as the associated costs and legal representation. Among other things, the MPs are asking how many lawsuits, injunctions, criminal charges and criminal applications the BMZ initiated or saw directed against it in the first quarter of 2025. The largest opposition party has also submitted this minor interpellation on behalf of other ministries.
Sea rescue in the Mediterranean by German organisations: A total of 3,613 people were rescued in 2024 by the nine German-based sea rescue organisations in the Mediterranean known to the German government. This is according to the Federal Government’s answer (21/259) to a minor interpellation (21/127). It also states that five organisations received up to 500,000 euros each in federal funding in 2024.
TAKEN LITERALLY:
„Semiconductor front-end manufacturing is very energy and resource intensive, especially in the complex production steps, which involve over 1000 steps. One of the biggest ecological challenges is the high energy consumption, as cleanrooms have to be constantly supplied with energy. An illustrative example: New semiconductor factories in the USA from Intel and Samsung consume twice as much energy as the city of Seattle. And my last study also showed that energy consumption in semiconductor production has more than doubled globally in the last eight years, increasing by 125 per cent to be precise. Water consumption is also enormous – a large factory can use up to 38 million litres a day. In addition, fluorinated gases and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are difficult or impossible to replace, pose a challenge as they cause both high greenhouse gas emissions and environmental contamination.“
Julia Christina Hess, Senior Policy Researcher at interface, emphasised that Europe’s share of global semiconductor production is only around eight percent and that the ecological footprint is therefore comparatively low – also because emission-intensive steps are often outsourced. According to her, the biggest sources of emissions are highly efficient process gases, high energy consumption and emissions along the supply chain.
Fluorinated gases and PFAS, which are necessary but harmful to the environment, are particularly problematic. According to Hess, switching to more sustainable chemicals will take at least 15 years, as new substances not only have to be developed, but also integrated into existing processes.
Water consumption is also high – up to 38 million litres a day per plant – although some of this is recycled. Hess pointed out that there is still a lack of uniform standards for assessing the environmental impact and that compound semiconductors have a higher footprint than silicon chips, but are indispensable for many key technologies.
The full interview is available at silicon-saxony.de
AFRICA:
Powerful lender: How African countries are borrowing from China. tagesschau.de
AfDB Annual Meeting: BMZ wants multilateral solutions. epo.de
Egypt: Ex-presidential candidate Ahmed al-Tantawi released from prison. deutschlandfunk.de
Nigeria: Amnesty criticises security situation and warns of humanitarian crisis. sueddeutsche.de
Russia’s relations with Africa: Renaissance of a historic partnership. telepolis.de
Strategy: Trump’s second term brings new US military strategy for Africa. fr.de
Namibia: First national day of remembrance. The country remembers the victims of German crimes. tagesschau.de
South Africa: What does Trump have against South Africa’s land reform law? dw.com
Why Kenya is inviting China to tea: The East African country wants to expand its tea exports to China. In return, China is to export tea packaging material to Kenya duty-free. dw.com
Uganda: Suspends military cooperation with Germany. The Ugandan army has suspended its military co-operation with Germany. The army accuses the German ambassador of „subversive activities“. zeit.de
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
Fashion from the sea – How Ecoalf turns plastic waste into clothing: While many fashion brands are once again losing sight of sustainability, the Spanish label Ecoalf is staying true to its mission: clothing made from waste. Together with over 5,000 fishermen in Europe, Egypt and Thailand, Ecoalf collects plastic waste from the sea – and transforms it into jackets, bags and shirts. What began as a passion project has long since become a functioning business model: turnover of 59 million euros in 2024, an increase of 22 per cent. But for founder Javier Goyeneche, Ecoalf is more than just fashion – it is a living change. Instead of greenwashing, he favours credible products, clear designs and measurable impact. His motto: „Because there is no Planet B“ and this is precisely why Ecoalf remains uncomfortable, innovative and a shining example of a genuine circular economy in the textile industry. sueddeutsche.de
Sustainability under pressure; why many companies only react – instead of convincing: Sustainability has arrived in German companies – but mostly not out of conviction, but because of growing pressure from customers, the market and legislators. This is shown by a new study conducted by the Fraunhofer IAO among 99 service companies from Baden-Württemberg. Although 29 per cent already rely on green offerings, genuine environmental ethics remain rare. For 71 per cent, sustainability is a current or future topic – but often without a clear plan. The economy is at a turning point: between regulatory obligation and public expectation, a new but still uncertain understanding of responsibility is emerging. The crucial question remains: Is reaction enough where transformation is required? fair-economics.de
Bacteria as battery recyclers – CO₂-negative metal recovery: British start-up Cellcycle is developing an innovative process in which genetically modified bacteria extract lithium, cobalt and other metals from old batteries. The recycling process is said to be not only low-energy, but also CO₂-negative: The microbes absorb CO₂ during „degradation“ and release oxygen. Scaling is currently being prepared and a marketable prototype should be available by the end of 2025. The aim is to recover up to 95 per cent of the ten most important battery metals – a promising step towards a sustainable circular economy. golem.de
CALENDAR:
2 – 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 will present their IT solutions for sustainability and ESG.
To the website1 – 2 July: LZ Summit Packaging & Sustainability in Frankfurt
The conference is aimed at managers and those responsible for sustainability management and strategy and focuses on optimising sustainable corporate management in the consumer goods industry.
To the website21 – 22 July: Sustainability Standards Conference 2025 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, policy 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 websiteExpected 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 websiteExpected in 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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