to the German edition
European elections: right-wing parties gain ground – climate policy likely to become more difficult: The polling stations for the European elections closed on Sunday evening. Observers expect right-wing parties to perform significantly better. This will also have an impact on the European Commission’s climate policy. Compared to the 2019 European elections, climate protection is hardly mentioned in the 2024 elections. Issues such as freedom, security and prosperity dominate the election posters, regardless of the party. Political scientist Funda Tekin notes that climate protection was in the spotlight in 2019 in the wake of the Fridays for Future movement and Brexit, but has now been displaced by issues such as peace, migration and social security. Surveys show that climate protection is now less important to voters than peace and prosperity. The Greens, in particular, who benefited from climate protection in 2019, are now emphasising security and prosperity. Tekin sees the war in Ukraine and its consequences as the main reason for the change of topic. Despite this shift, the Greens continue to emphasise the importance of climate protection, linked to economic stability and security. Tekin warns that the shift in priorities is strengthening right-wing parties in the EU, which is also reflected in climate policy and other areas. In addition to the German results, in which the CDU/CSU became the strongest party and the Ampel parties lost, the Greens crashed and the AFD and the BSW won, the right-wing populists in France also achieved up to 32.4% of the votes with the Rassemblement National (RN) under Jordan Bardella, while Macron’s party Renaissance achieved 15.2%. In Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s Nea Demokratia party emerged as the strongest force with around 30%, while Syriza came in at 17%. In Croatia, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic’s conservative HDZ won six of the twelve seats, the SDP received four, and the right-wing populist Homeland Movement and the left-green Mozemo each won one seat. In Malta, the social democratic Labour Party suffered losses and could win three of the six seats, while the conservative Nationalist Party can expect to win two to three seats. In the Netherlands, a red-green alliance and the right-wing populist party of Geert Wilders were neck and neck, with the right-wing liberal VVD just behind. In Austria, the right-wing populist FPÖ came out on top with 27%, followed by the ÖVP and SPÖ with around 23% each. Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s Civic Platform won in Poland with 38.2%, while the PiS party received 33.9%. In Spain, the opposition conservatives (PP) won by a narrow margin with 32.4%, the ruling socialists achieved 30.2%, and the far-right Vox party received 10.4%. In Cyprus, 24-year-old travel blogger Fidias Panagiotou won 18% of the vote and secured himself a seat, while the conservative DISY came in first with 24% and the communist AKEL with 22.5%. The far-right ELAM party won 11.5% and secured its first seat in parliament. fr.de , zdf.de , mdr.de
Germany will not achieve its climate targets for 2030, warns Council of Experts: Germany is likely to miss its climate targets for 2030, according to the German government’s Council of Experts. Greenhouse gas emissions cannot be reduced by then as planned, according to the climate expert panel. This forecast is based on a review of the Federal Environment Agency’s projections. Germany’s Climate Protection Act stipulates that greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by 65 per cent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. A reduction of 88 per cent is planned by 2040, and by 2050 Germany is to be climate-neutral, i.e. only emit as many greenhouse gases as can be absorbed again. Despite the ambitious targets and the measures taken so far, the current analysis indicates that Germany will have to make considerably more efforts to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement. zeit.de , energiezukunft.de , wiwo.de
The proportion of green electricity in Germany is 60 per cent
In the first quarter of 2024, the share of green electricity in the amount of electricity generated in Germany reached a record level of almost 60 per cent. Wind power was the most important source of energy, supplying 38.5 per cent of electricity. Despite the increase in renewable energies, total electricity production fell by 7.5 per cent compared to the previous year. spiegel.de
Less plastic waste abroad: Germany is exporting significantly less plastic waste abroad, which is partly due to import restrictions imposed by some Asian countries. Despite these declines, most plastic waste from Germany goes to the Netherlands, which has a high circular economy rate. Malaysia is the second largest consumer of German plastic waste after the Netherlands, followed by Turkey. Germans also disposed of less waste last year. The volume of waste was less than 400 million tonnes. faz.de , tagesschau.de (waste volumes)
Faster approval for wind turbines: The Bundestag has agreed to faster approvals for wind turbines and other industrial plants in order to speed up construction through digitalisation and less bureaucracy. An amended Federal Immission Control Act is intended to shorten approval procedures by an average of ten months. SPD politician Daniel Rinkert emphasised that this will ignite a „super turbo“ in terms of acceleration. tagesschau.de
Guterres calls for ban on advertising for oil, coal and gas: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments around the world to ban advertising for coal, oil and gas. „I call on all countries to ban advertising by fossil fuel companies,“ said Guterres during a speech at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. He pointed to existing regulations for harmful products such as tobacco, which are already restricted or completely banned in many countries, as a model. He also criticised the greenwashing practices of fossil fuel companies and the role of advertising and PR agencies in spreading disinformation about climate change. „Billions of dollars have been spent to distort the truth, deceive the public and sow doubt,“ said the UN Secretary-General. derstandard.at
Urgent warning – Man-made warming at record high: May 2024 was the warmest May since records began, marking the twelfth consecutive month in which the global average temperature for the month reached a record high. This is according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S). „It is shocking, but not surprising, that we have reached this 12-month streak. Even if this sequence of record months is interrupted at some point, the overall picture of climate change remains and there is no sign of this trend changing,“ said Carlo Buontempo, director of the C3S. fair-economics.com
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Opa, du hast es doch gewusst
A grandfather’s answers and insights on climate change
Achim Bubenzer, grandfather and all-round expert in physics, technology, the energy industry and politics, presents an impressive and motivating answer to the pressing questions of climate change in his book „Opa, Du hast es doch gewusst!“. On 160 pages, this book, which has just been published, offers a mixture of sound knowledge, personal anecdotes and humorous reflections that is well worth reading. Bubenzer knows how to captivate his readers by presenting complex scientific and technological contexts in an understandable and entertaining way. With an impressive CV that includes both academic and practical experience in various international contexts, he ensures that his arguments are both well-founded and practical. A central focus of the book is on how today’s grandparents can actively contribute to the climate transition. Bubenzer motivates his readers to rethink political and personal decisions and take action – not only for their children and grandchildren, but also for the future of the planet. He gives practical tips for individual action and shows how to have successful conversations about climate change. Bubenzer’s discussion of the energy transition in Germany is particularly noteworthy. He vividly explains how existing technologies can be utilised to shape a sustainable energy future. He does not shy away from addressing controversial topics such as the expansion of nuclear energy and presents innovative technological approaches. Another plus point of the book is the author’s critical and self-reflective approach. Bubenzer succeeds in exploring the contradictions between necessary ecological radicalism and political and economic pragmatism without falling into simple answers. His explanations are characterised by a refreshing honesty and a deep understanding of the complexity of the climate crisis. oekom.de
In an nutshell:
Floods in southern Germany: insurers estimate flood damage at two billion euros. zeit.de
The fight against the climate crisis: Seven to nine billion tonnes of CO₂ need to be removed every year. fair-economics.de
Study warns: Chemical substances from car tyres accumulate in leafy vegetables. focus.de
Action in front of the Chancellery: Hunger strikers have been hoping for weeks that the Chancellor will listen to them; they want tougher climate protection. Now some activists have marched to the Chancellery with black paint. spiegel.de
Messner on climate protection: Most people have understood. stern.de
Sweden: Bans bottom trawling. fair-economics.de
Climate change: Why right-wing populists are so keen to deny the climate crisis. spiegel.de
Climate crisis in Latin America: First village has to move. npla.de
Model study: How an unconditional basic income protects the climate. mdr.de
Offshore wind power: Area development for 60 gigawatts gets underway. heise.de
How Germany should fly climate-neutrally: A group of experts has developed concrete measures to promote climate-neutral air transport. handelsblatt.com
Mobility in private households: Transport by car and aeroplane in particular involves higher energy consumption and therefore high emissions. There are alternatives: public transport, car sharing, (electric) bicycles and walking. uba.de
Bahncard only digital: criticism from consumer associations. stern.de
Futursight Mobility: The mobility of the future should be digitally networked and powered by green electricity. When will we finally get there? dw.com
Futurologist: „A car park is the most absurd place a city can afford“. utopia.de
„The only right way“: VW brand boss Schäfer does not see e-mobility in crisis. merkur.de
E-scooters in Germany: the balance sheet after five years. spiegel.de
Hydrogen from Africa: Green hydrogen is seen as a key building block for the energy system of the future – including in Germany. Germany is therefore focussing on close cooperation with various countries on the African continent. dw.com
Fraunhofer ISI: Municipal utilities central to green hydrogen. solarserver.de
Hydrogen core network: The development of the hydrogen core network is to be refinanced by 2055 through network charges. zfk.de
EU authorisation: Germany and six other EU member states are authorised to support the hydrogen industry with 1.4 billion euros in the fight against climate change. allgemeinbauzeitung.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:
Who is blocking nature conservation and good policies for Europe’s farms?
In the run-up to the European elections, the parties are terrified of angry farmers. A number of false friends are to blame for the fact that farmers are doing so badly. In this episode of Gradmesser, Theresa Crysmann from Tagesspiegel Background Agrar und Ernährung takes a look at who is blocking nature conservation and good policies for Europe’s farms in Brussels. Among other things, you will find out which false friends are pandering to the farmers, what role the European People’s Party, including the CDU and CSU, is playing here and why the farmers‘ resentment is particularly directed at the Greens. We also look at the possibilities for a better agricultural policy and what environmental policy can expect after the EU elections – also with a view to the upcoming Hungarian Council Presidency. tagesspiegel.de
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
Flooding in southern Germany: this is climate change
by Manfred Kriener
After the floods in southern Germany, the main focus is on support for those affected, but only effective climate protection will help in the long term. This year is already the third flood event, which shows the „new normal“ in a country that is two degrees warmer. The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases is leading to ever more frequent natural disasters. Political discussions on climate policy are being avoided, particularly in Bavaria, due to upcoming elections. Instead of systematic measures, individual solutions such as natural hazard insurance and technical protection measures are being discussed. It costs human lives and immense sums of money, but the responsibility of climate change is often ignored. Reporting tends to focus on the emotions of those affected rather than on political responsibility. This prevents the failures of climate protection from being clearly addressed. The whole commentary is available at taz.
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
Ordinance on energy-efficient refurbishment measures: The German government has launched an ordinance (20/11646) to amend the tax incentives for energy-efficient refurbishment measures. The aim is to transfer changes to the federal subsidy guidelines for efficient buildings into tax law and thus „restore the desired technical synchronisation of the two subsidies“, writes the Federal Government. The ordinance requires the approval of the German Bundestag.
Hydrogen as „the energy carrier of the future“: Green hydrogen is described by the German Hydrogen Association (DWV) as „the energy carrier of the future“, as Friederike Lassen from DWV emphasised. Europe has sufficient potential for generating renewable energy to cover the demand for hydrogen. Forecasts predict a surplus of 90 TWh by 2030 and 234 TWh by 2040. Lassen and Professor Michael Frey from Kehl University of Applied Sciences emphasised the need for a European hydrogen economy and infrastructure. Frey sees this as a step towards energy self-sufficiency and calls for the coordination of cross-border interfaces and the integration of gas, hydrogen and electricity infrastructures. One problem is the „first mover problem“, where it is unclear who buys hydrogen and at what price. In order to solve this, clear subsidisation measures and the establishment of a stable hydrogen price are needed. Lassen is optimistic that hydrogen will be available at prices that make electricity-intensive industries such as steelworks and aluminium smelters competitive. Both experts emphasise the urgency of accelerating development. more at bundestag.de
Sustainability Council calls for reform of the debt brake: Reiner Hoffmann, Chairman of the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE), emphasised to the Parliamentary Advisory Council on Sustainable Development that the transformation must involve both the economy and society. He called for the population to be actively involved in the transformation. Hoffmann emphasised that the transformation must not only be managed technically, but also socially and culturally. He emphasised the need for a political framework to enable sustainable lifestyles and spoke out in favour of a combination of public and private capital to finance sustainable infrastructures. He also called for a reform of the debt brake as well as the introduction of a wealth tax and a fairer inheritance tax. Hoffmann warned of the negative effects of the current fiscal policy rules, which have also been criticised by the IMF. more on bundestag.de
Need for improvements in the implementation of the EU Renewable Energy Directive: At a hearing of the Committee on Climate Protection and Energy, improvements to the draft law on the implementation of the revised Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) were called for. (20/11226, 20/11558) Critics doubt that the measures will lead to faster commissioning of offshore wind farms. They emphasise that grid connections are crucial and that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be retained in order to ensure acceptance and safety. They also propose improving the legal framework and creating standardised regulations for the federal and state governments in order to achieve the desired acceleration effects. more details at bundestag.de
TAKEN LITERALLY:
We have an absolute necessity to act and cannot ignore the fact that measures to combat climate change will affect certain areas of society differently. Transparency is needed. However, we must not fall into the trap of individualisation and only pay attention to what individuals contribute with their specific consumption and lifestyle. When it comes to issues such as the car, people tend to forget that private individuals do not come up with their own mobility behaviour. In a village, the car has a different necessity than in a city with public transport. It would be unfair to leave these things to individuals in such different worlds and expect them to solve it now.
Annalena Buyx, was appointed to the German Ethics Council in 2016. She was its chair from 2020 to April 2024, emphasising that both politicians and companies as well as individuals bear responsibility. She explained that it can be frustrating when you want to take responsibility but encounter resistance and that politicians therefore need to create a framework. She emphasised that sectors such as construction and agriculture have great potential to produce in a more climate-friendly way and that there are already companies that are implementing this. She also emphasised the need to not just talk about bans and individual losses, but to promote positive visions and ideas for a good life. n-tv.de
AFRICA:
NGO wants EU-Kenya trade partnership cancelled: A Kampala-based NGO, the Centre for Law Economics and Policy on East African Integration (CLEP-EA), has appealed to the East African Court of Justice to prevent Kenya and the Secretary General of the East African Community (EAC) from implementing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signed with the EU. CLEP-EA argues that Kenya has violated the EAC Treaty by signing the agreement. The organisation also accuses the EAC Secretary General of neglecting his duties by not warning Kenya against signing the illegal EPA or stopping it. Kenya also failed to share the renegotiated EPA with the partner states. The agreement builds on negotiations with EAC partner states Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda that were finalised in October 2014. Kenya is the only EAC state to have ratified the EPA in order to gain better access to the European market. The other EAC states, as least developed countries, have duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market. theeastafrican.co.ke
Government on economic cooperation with Mauritania: Since 2013, Germany has implemented 46 bilateral development projects with Mauritania, mainly focussing on climate and the environment. These projects had a total volume of around 1.1 million euros and created 948 jobs. In a response to a question from the AfD parliamentary group, the German government stated that the details of public development assistance (ODA) paid up to 2022 can be viewed in the OECD database. For further information, the government refers to the transparency portal of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the GTAI website for market data. bundestag.de
Where are Europe and Africa heading? A look into the year 2030: Europe elected a new parliament this election, but relations with Africa were hardly discussed in the election campaign, even though they are crucial for important policy areas such as climate change and the shortage of skilled labour. In this Spotlight, Karoline Eickhoff and Denis M. Tull analyse trends that will shape future relations between Europe and Africa. Their strategic foresight process shows which developments could influence the interactions between the continents by 2030. swp-berlin.de
Massive expansion: fibre optic submarine cables and 4G for Africa: New lines, more mobile phone masts: tech giants are investing heavily in high-performance digital infrastructure for Africa. Nevertheless, digital inequality is growing and many people are not benefiting from connectivity. dw.com
General strike in Nigeria – Those who work should be able to eat: After two days of general strike, Nigeria’s government agrees to negotiations with the trade unions. They are demanding a 16-fold increase in the minimum wage. taz.de
Zambia asks for an increase in the IMF loan programme to 1.7 billion dollars: The Zambian government has asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to increase its loan programme from $1.3 billion to $1.7 billion in response to a severe drought. The IMF also announced that an agreement in principle has been reached on the third review of the country’s Extended Credit Facility. Following expected approval by the IMF’s Executive Board at the end of June, Zambia will have access to about $573 million, the fourth disbursement under the arrangement. reuters.com
ANC blames ex-President Zuma for loss of majority: ANC Chairman Gwede Mantashe blames Jacob Zuma for the party’s heavy losses, as Zuma left the party with a large proportion of his supporters and founded MK at the end of 2023. This split led to poor election results. Analyst Lesiba Teffo emphasises that the ANC’s failures, such as growing poverty, unemployment, power cuts and corruption, drove many voters to other parties. As the ANC has lost its absolute majority, coalition talks are necessary. Possible partners are the EFF, which has already expressed interest, and the DA, which has not yet made a decision. A coalition with the DA is seen as difficult due to its perception as a traditional white party. Analysts warn that a coalition with both the MK and the EFF could be problematic. dw.com (more election analyses also here: reuters.com , theguardian.com, taz.de
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
All birds are arriving earlier: migratory birds are returning earlier and earlier from their wintering grounds due to climate change, a new study by the University of Kassel confirms. This adaptation varies depending on the bird species and means that short- and medium-distance migrants are coping better with the changes than long-distance migrants. Shorter migration routes enable the birds to find better breeding sites, but also expose them more to the onset of winter and late frosts. Long-distance migrants such as the cuckoo have difficulties because their arrival and breeding times are no longer synchronised with the peak times of insect reproduction. wdr.de
How climate change is affecting our psyche: Heatwaves, droughts and floods caused by climate change are also having a significant impact on our psyche, as evidenced by rising rates of depression, anxiety disorders and other mental health problems. A survey in the German Medical Journal found that 71 per cent of psychotherapists surveyed treat patients with concerns about the climate crisis, with 41 per cent treating at least one patient for climate anxiety. People with pre-existing mental health conditions are particularly at risk, as their mortality rate triples during heatwaves. To deal with climate anxiety, experts recommend a reality check and personal commitment to tackling climate change, while politicians should communicate clear strategies for action to build trust and certainty. br.de
How disused solar modules are given a second life: A Chinese research team has developed an environmentally friendly method for recycling solar modules that is easily scalable. This new method uses a molten mixture of sodium and potassium hydroxide instead of acids and allows different components to be efficiently separated and recovered. A life cycle analysis shows that the process significantly reduces carbon emissions and lowers electricity consumption. The researchers are convinced that through automation and scaling, large quantities of end-of-life solar modules can be recycled efficiently. ingenieur.de
CALENDAR:
Hearing on the topic: Enforcement of human rights conventions
Time: Monday, 10 June 2024, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Berlin, Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, conference room 3 101In its public hearing on 10 June 2024, the committee will address the topic of „Enforcement of international and European human rights conventions on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights and the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 75 years ago“.
The establishment and expansion of vaccine production capacities in Africa
Time: Monday, 10 June 2024, 5 p.m. to 6.45 p.m.
Place: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, conference room E 600It will be possible to follow the public part of the meeting of the Subcommittee on Global Health on 10 June 2024 from 17:25 via livestream. This can be found at www.bundestag.de and on the website of the Subcommittee on Global Health.
Participation in presence is not planned.
Children’s Commission
Expert discussion on the topic of „Economic and financial education“
Time: Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 3 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Place: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, conference room 2.200On Wednesday, 12 June 2023, the Children’s Commission of the German Bundestag (Kiko) will discuss the topic of „Ensuring equal opportunities for all children“. The public expert discussion will focus on the topic of „Economic and financial education„. The five-member Children’s Commission is a subcommittee of the Family Committee. It represents the interests of children and young people in parliament. (05.06.2024)
The meeting will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.bundestag.de.
Public meeting on the reform of peacekeeping
Time: Wednesday, 12 June 2024, 4 pm to 5 pm
Place: Berlin, Marie-Elisabeth-Lüders-Haus, conference room 3.101The partially public session will be broadcast live on parliamentary television (Hauskanal 2) on 12 June 2024 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. The session will also be available on the website of the German Bundestag.
General information on attending public meetings:
Please provide us with the following information for registration by 11 June 2024 (registration deadline 4 p.m.) by e-mail auswaertiger-ausschuss@bundestag.de:
Date
Surname, first name
Date of birthThere is no right to speak or ask questions.GLF Africa 2024
When: 17 September 2024
Where: Nairobi, Kenya, and online
Further information: Website coming soon!
Can Africa usher in a global green renaissance? The continent has vast natural resources that support its food systems, livelihoods and growing young population – but the climate crisis could undo these benefits. This mixed conference will explore how Africa can overcome these challenges by harnessing the potential of its diverse landscapes and peoples
Bonn Climate Conference – June 2024
When: 3-13 June 2024
Where: Bonn, Germany
Further information: Website
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will hold the 60th session of its subsidiary bodies at its headquarters in Bonn, Germany. Stay tuned for more details.III World Biodiversity Forum
When: 16-21 June 2024
Where: Davos, Switzerland
Further information: Website
Under the theme „From Science to Action“, the third World Biodiversity Forum will bring together researchers, practitioners and civil society to explore how to move from science to action and solutions to conserve biodiversity and put us on the path to a transformation towards sustainability.VII European Congress for Conservation Biology (ECCB 2024)
When: 17-21 June 2024
Where: Bologna, Italy
Further information: Website The 7th ECCB, organised
by the European Section of the Society for Conservation Biology (SCB), will focus on the key theme „Biodiversity Positive by 2030“ and formulate a call to action for the conservation of our planet’s biodiversity.ICLEI World Congress 2024
When: 18-21 June 2024
Where: São Paulo, Brazil
Further information: Website; Press release; Registration form
In June, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability will organise its triennial World Congress. It will be hosted by the city of São Paulo. The event will showcase how local and regional governments from our network are driving sustainable urban development worldwide.IUFRO World Congress
When: 23-29 June 2024
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
Further information: Website
The IUFRO World Congress is one of the largest global forestry events, held every five years since 1893, bringing together leading scientists and top leaders to jointly shape a sustainable future for forestry, climate and society. Under the motto „Forests and Society Towards 2050“, the 2024 event will address the challenges that population growth, climate change, globalisation and a growing world economy pose for forests and their management.
The GLF and CIFOR-ICRAF will participate in this event. Stay tuned for more details.International Peat Congress
When: 4-9 August 2024
Where: Taizhou, Zhejiang, China
Further information: Website
The 17th International Peatland
Congress, organised by the International Peatland Society, provides a platform for scientists, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to share knowledge, best practices and new ideas on peatland conservation and advocates for the responsible use of peat and peatland resources. The proposed theme for this year is „Peatlands in a changing world“.Summit of the future
When: 22-24 September 2024
Where: UN Headquarters, New York, NY, United States
More information: Website
The Future Summit is a high-level event that brings together world leaders to build a new international consensus on how we can create a better present and secure the future.
The Summit has two main objectives: to accelerate efforts to fulfil our existing international commitments and to take concrete steps to address new challenges and opportunities. This will be achieved through an action-orientated outcome document, the Compact for the Future, which will be negotiated and endorsed by countries in the run-up to and during the Summit.Climate Week NYC 2024
When: 22-28 September 2024
Where: New York, NY, United States, and online
More information: Website
During the same week as the Future Summit, the annual Climate Week NYC will organise over 500 in-person, hybrid and online events and activities across New York City.2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference
When: 21 October-1 November 2024
Where: Cali, Colombia
Further information: Press release
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) and the meetings of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol.
At COP16, governments will be tasked with reviewing the status of implementation of the Kunming and Montreal Global Biodiversity Frameworks, which were adopted at COP15 in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022.2024 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 all over the world will meet again in Azerbaijan for the biggest climate event of the year to set
a new global target for climate financing.Session of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16)
When: 2-13 December
Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Further 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.
THE LAST:
Researchers warn of the dangers of fuel for mini-nuclear power plants
Researchers at MIT warn that the fuel HALEU (High-Assay Low-Enriched Uranium) planned for new types of nuclear reactors could be used directly for the construction of nuclear bombs. The fuel has a higher uranium-235 enrichment, which according to tests by researchers poses a danger. They are calling for uranium with an enrichment of 10-12 per cent or more to be classified as highly enriched uranium (HEU). HALEU is used not only for civilian but also for military projects such as experimental nuclear propulsion missiles. Only China and Russia currently have production capacities, but the UK is planning to build these up by the early 2030s. The Physicians‘ Organisation for the Prevention of Nuclear War is calling on the German government to prevent such developments. heise.de
to the German edition
All images, unless otherwise stated: pixabay.com
You are receiving this newsletter because you are interested in environmental and sustainable issues.
Hinterlasse einen Kommentar