to the German edition
World Climate Change Conference in Baku comes to an end – Lazy compromise: The UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku has agreed on a new target for climate financing, whereby industrialised countries are to provide at least 300 billion US dollars per year by 2035 – a tripling of the previous pledge, but far below the demands of the global South, which had expected at least one trillion US dollars per year. Developing countries sharply criticised the resolutions as inadequate, as no clear commitments to higher payments or to financing via loans and investors were defined. The conference also failed to make progress on climate protection, as no new measures to move away from fossil fuels were agreed. With increasing geopolitical pressure and the possible isolation of the USA under Donald Trump, international climate diplomacy is facing difficult times. India and several other countries such as Bolivia and Malawi sharply criticised the resolutions on climate financing and rejected them as insufficient. While EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra praised the results as progress and the beginning of a „new era of climate finance“, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke of a „starting point“, which was, however, met with criticism from Western countries such as Canada and Switzerland, who also expressed disappointment with the outcome. In the meantime, several groups of countries had cancelled a central round of negotiations at the climate summit in Baku. They left the room in protest: „We don’t have the feeling that we are being heard. In this respect, the developing countries criticise the resolution as inadequate. During the conference, they had called for contributions of 1.3 trillion dollars a year by 2035, but at least an increase in contributions from industrialised countries to 500 billion dollars by 2030. There was also criticism of the lack of new resolutions to move away from fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. zdf.de, br.de, spiegel.de (country groups), welt.de (developing countries), zeit.de, fair-economics.de (further reactions)
Climate Protection Index – Germany slips down: Germany has slipped from 14th to 16th place in the latest Climate Protection Index published by Germanwatch and the NewClimate Institute, which corresponds to a downgrade from „good“ to „moderate“. No significant progress was recorded in the areas of transport and buildings in particular, which contributed significantly to this deterioration. The authors of the index emphasise that Germany must intensify its efforts in order to achieve its climate targets. fr.de , zdf.de , rnd.de
Net zero is still possible by 2045
A study shows that Germany’s goal of climate neutrality by 2045 is technically and economically achievable, but requires a regionally adapted expansion of renewable energies, energy efficiency and hydrogen infrastructure. Wind power in northern Germany is to be further expanded, while hydrogen plants in coastal regions will serve as energy storage facilities. Flexible gas-fired power plants and biogas plants are proposed to ensure security of supply, accompanied by high-voltage lines for transporting electricity to southern industrial centres. The energy transition harbours risks for jobs in the metal and automotive industries, but brings overall economic opportunities and job growth in areas such as grid expansion, solar installations and building renovation. klimareporter.de
Sustainable investment products in the EU: Sustainability ratings in the EU are to become more transparent. The EU is introducing stricter rules for providers of ESG ratings in order to increase confidence in sustainable investment products. In future, providers must be authorised by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), fulfil strict transparency requirements and avoid conflicts of interest. The aim is to make the methodology and sources of information for ESG assessments comprehensible so that they are more reliable and comparable for investors. tagesspiegel.de
China’s role in global climate protection: China is at the centre of the UN climate summit COP29 in Baku, as the re-election of Donald Trump and his announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement make it unlikely that the USA will play a leading role in climate policy. As the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China is expected to set more ambitious climate targets and participate more in international climate financing, even though it is still formally considered a developing country. The People’s Republic presents an ambivalent picture: on the one hand, it is a leader in the expansion of renewable energies; on the other hand, it remains heavily dependent on coal power and has not yet formulated sufficient climate targets. Experts nevertheless see potential for China to make a decisive contribution to reducing global emissions and to drive forward the discussions at the summit. dw.com
Network Agency wants to make the construction of storage facilities cheaper: The Federal Network Agency is planning a reform of construction cost subsidies to make the construction of grid storage facilities and electrolysers more attractive for the energy transition. The subsidies that grid operators charge for the connection or expansion of capacities are to be calculated according to a tiered system in future, depending on the grid relief provided by the project. Storage facilities in regions with surplus electricity, such as windy areas, could thus pay lower subsidies. The aim is to reduce the costs of grid expansion and promote the conscious use of grid capacities. However, storage operators criticise the fact that they are classified as consumers despite feeding electricity back into the grid, which means higher costs, and have filed a complaint. golem.de, bundesnetzagentur.de (position paper)
How the future of the German forest is being robbed: The German forest is under enormous pressure due to the climate crisis, leading to conflicts between forest owners, researchers and environmentalists. The example of Treuenbrietzen in Brandenburg shows how contradictory approaches to forest utilisation and regeneration clash: While a research project promotes natural regeneration through dead wood, the new forest owner favours conventional methods such as clear-cutting and reforestation. Such conflicts are also reflected in the national debate on a reform of the Forest Act, which is characterised by resistance from forest owners and environmental associations. Despite initial progress, it remains unclear whether and how the German forest can be adapted to the challenges of climate change, as both approaches and interests diverge greatly. zeit.de
BOOK TIP OF THE WEEK:
Explosive Moderne
In her latest book, Eva Illouz succeeds in providing a profound and fascinating analysis of our emotion-ridden society. With her unmistakable sociological perspective, she shows how fear, anger, disappointment, shame and love are not just individual feelings, but have become firmly embedded in the structures of our politics, culture and economy. These emotions are not just an expression of personal sensitivities, but act as driving forces behind social tensions, political upheavals and cultural conflicts.The strength of the book lies in the masterful combination of astute analyses, historical insights and literary references. Illouz knows how to precisely dissect emotional phenomena and at the same time link them to iconic works of world literature, offering the reader a particularly profound perspective.
Her approach sheds light on the mechanisms by which emotions are controlled and often instrumentalised in our modern world, be it in capitalism, liberal democracy or in the identity conflicts that flare up time and again.It is particularly impressive how Illouz places complex topics such as the collapse of the American dream, the fragility of liberal values or the rise of anti-Semitism and misogyny in the context of „explosive modernity“. She shows that these developments can neither be explained nor contained without an understanding of the key feelings of the time.
Illouz’s book is both analytically brilliant and highly relevant to the present day. With her precise style and clear argumentation, she challenges the reader to penetrate the emotional underpinnings of social crises and change. It is a work that compels reflection and resonates for a long time – a must-read for anyone who wants to better understand the explosive dynamics of our time. suhrkamp.de
In a nutshell:
Environmental policy: EU member states against changes to forest protection law. tagesspiegel.de
CDU vice-president Andreas Jung contradicts Spahn: „No return to nuclear energy“. stuttgarter-zeitung.de
Brandenburg: Environment Minister resigns after health minister is sacked. zeit.de
Climate researcher Latif: COP has „done nothing for the climate so far“ – doubts about the usefulness of climate conferences. tagesschau.de
PODCAST OF THE WEEK:
Fair fashion expert Nina Lorenzen: Fashion is political!
The fashion industry is responsible for almost a tenth of global CO2 emissions, a problem that Nina Lorenzen is actively tackling as author and co-founder of the Fashion Changers platform. Her interest in fashion began with the connection between fashion and emancipation movements, but was decisively shaped by her encounter with textile waste and its environmental impact in Estonia in 2013. Since then, she has been campaigning for sustainability and social justice in the fashion industry, even if she has to deal with frustration and setbacks time and again. In an interview with Anna Brehm, Nina sheds light on why outrage can be a driving force, why terms such as „climate neutral“ are often misleading, and how the first steps towards a more sustainable fashion world have already been taken. boell.de
COMMENT OF THE WEEK:
The rifts in global climate policy are getting even deeper
By Eric Frey
Eric Frey criticises the increasing conflicts in global climate policy, which are being exacerbated by Trump’s election victory and the resistance of major emerging economies to specific climate targets. Countries such as China and India are insisting on their sovereignty and refusing global coordination, while at the same time demanding higher aid payments. These demands are met with growing scepticism from industrialised countries, as such payments appear ineffective without uniform measures. Instead of promoting cooperation, the rifts between industrialised, emerging and developing countries are deepening, which is jeopardising the COP29 climate conference in Baku and massively hindering global climate protection. Read the full commentary at standard.at
LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:
Reduction of pesticides in agriculture: The German government is sticking to its goal of reducing the use of pesticides by 50 per cent by 2030. This is according to an answer(20/13803) from the Federal Government to a minor interpellation(20/13454). The Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) published its Future Plant Protection Programme on 4 September 2024. The primary goal of this programme is to reduce the use of plant protection products by 50 percent by 2030. As a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Germany also supports the international agreement of the „Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework“, which, among other things, aims to „reduce the risks posed by pesticides by at least half by 2030“, according to the response.
He was still in office then – Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner on the climate money: The German government is still planning to introduce a climate money during the current legislative period. This is what it writes in its answer(20/13773) to a minor question(20/13554) from the Left Party group entitled „Social compensation for rising energy prices due to CO2 pricing“. The corresponding Bundestag printed paper is dated 13 November 2024, but the government does not provide any information on the specific timetable. At the same time, it answers the question in the affirmative as to whether it shares the view of the Federal Minister of Finance Christian Lindner (FDP), who was still in office at the time of the enquiry, „that a decision on concrete payments of additional revenue from CO2 pricing via a compensation mechanism (climate money) should only be made in the following legislative period“, as the enquiry states. The answer continues: „The Federal Government is working on a direct payment mechanism that could also be used for a climate money in the future once it has been fully finalised.“ It is envisaged that the Federal Central Tax Office will take on the role of direct payment authority. The basis for the direct payment mechanism is the storage of the account details in the tax ID database at the Federal Central Tax Office. „The legal framework for this is in place and storage is underway,“ the government continues. The aim is to have the basic mechanism (for the automated payment of lump-sum payments) ready for use by 2025. The increase in the CO2 price from 30 to 45 euros in 2024 has reportedly increased the price of a litre of petrol by 10.8 cents. The aim of the climate money is to compensate for the future increase in prices in CO2 emissions trading and to ensure acceptance of the market system. The German government believes that the exact structure of a climate money should be discussed in the next legislative period. „The necessary budgetary provisions will have to be decided accordingly in future budget preparation procedures.“
How rural areas are developing: The Federal Government has presented the Fourth Report on the Development of Rural Areas entitled „Strength of the Land“ as a briefing(20/13790). The report provides a comprehensive overview of the situation and development of rural areas in Germany. Rural areas are of great importance in Germany: 90 per cent of Germany’s area is rural and half of the population lives there. The report documents the federal government’s priorities, projects and measures that have been used since 2020 to create equal living conditions in Germany. The report focuses in particular on demographic development, climate protection and the energy transition, issues relating to services of general interest and social cohesion. The report has been published every four years since 2011.
Government: One third of dubious UER projects cancelled: One third of upstream emission reduction (UER) projects in China suspected of fraud have already been cancelled by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) as incorrect certificates were found. 20/13705 A total of 45 projects are being reviewed to check compliance with the UER Regulation, with unlawful certificates being cancelled and project sponsors obliged to correct them. The German government emphasises that no damage has been caused to the German taxpayer as UER projects were financed by oil companies, but the financial damage to the companies remains unclear. Following irregularities, offsetting and the possibility of new applications for UER projects were discontinued in 2024 to prevent abuse.
TAKEN LITERALLY:
„Working for climate protection – and it is, after all, about protecting people and human life – must not take a back seat. This is a central part of my political biography and this world climate conference is an important one for various reasons. Firstly, it is about the global energy transition. COP28 in Dubai, which was actually successful with its commitment to tripling the expansion of renewables by 2023, must be further underpinned with concrete measures, such as the expansion of grids and storage facilities, as proposed by the Azerbaijani Presidency here in Baku. In Germany, we are already in full swing. „
Robert Habeck, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, said that the global climate protection strategy was entering a new phase in which industrial emissions would also have to be given greater consideration. The Climate Club was created as an international forum for this purpose. He also emphasised the need to broaden international climate financing by involving more private investors and additional donor countries such as China and Qatar. International climate protection projects are about cooperation, new markets and concrete climate protection. As part of the International Climate Initiative, for example, energy systems are being converted from coal, oil and gas to renewable energies, people in other countries are being trained in energy saving or in the operation of hydrogen-based gas-fired power plants and trade unions from South Africa and Germany are being networked to promote a social and just transition from coal to renewable energies. These projects not only served to protect the climate, but also to open up new markets for green technologies from which everyone could benefit. Habeck criticised the fact that the debate on the financing of such projects is often conducted in a short-sighted manner, although Germany as a trading nation could benefit twice over from the resulting green markets. focus.de
AFRICA:
South Africa becomes the first African country to chair the G20: President Ramaphosa pledges to focus on promoting inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.aa.com
Referendum in Gabon: Yes to new constitution. dw.com
Kenya: President Ruto orders cancellation of controversial Adani deal on airport.theeastafrican.co.ke
Senegal in a spirit of optimism:many Senegalese are making the perilous journey across the Atlantic to Europe. Mamadou Mbengue wants to stop them. With sunbeds. taz.de
Presidential elections in Somaliland: Unique change of power in the Horn of Africa In internationally unrecognised Somaliland, the president is voted out of office. The peaceful change of power could have considerable repercussions. taz.de
Moscow blocks UN resolution: Sudan’s population a pawn in geopolitics. The war in Sudan is the biggest humanitarian crisis in the world. Russia is taking sides in the hope of building a military base on the Red Sea. derstandard.at
MORE KNOWLEDGE:
More blackouts due to wind and solar power?A study by the University of Tennessee shows that power grids with a high proportion of wind and solar energy in the USA are less susceptible to weather-related blackouts than often feared. Between 2001 and 2020, fewer and less severe power outages occurred in states with a high proportion of renewable energy sources than in those that predominantly use fossil fuels. The reasons for this are adaptations of the electricity grids to fluctuating electricity feed-ins, such as the use of energy storage systems and better control systems, which increase the resilience of the grids. The results refute the assumption that weather-dependent renewable energies inevitably jeopardise the stability of the electricity supply. scinexx.de
Threads of nature – creating clothing from scratch: From risotto to sauce, mushrooms have long been an integral part of the kitchen. Now mushrooms are showing the potential to offer more than just flavour – as a sustainable, flexible material for the fashion industry. Researchers are using the net-like structure of the mushroom’s root system – the mycelium – as an alternative to synthetic fibres for clothing and other products such as car seats. Mushrooms are not the only foodstuff with the potential to trigger a revolution in sustainable yarn. Tomato stems also have a hidden talent. fair-economics.com
How Greenland’s ice melt can affect the global climate:Greenland’s ice melt affects the Atlantic overturning circulation (AMOC), a crucial current system that circulates warm and cold water and controls the global climate. Increased freshwater input into the Irminger Sea from melting glaciers reduces the density of ocean water, which inhibits deep water formation and weakens the AMOC. Modelling shows that the AMOC is currently weaker than it has been for 1000 years and could slow down further, which would have dramatic long-term climate impacts, including temperature decreases in Europe. The researchers emphasise the importance of observations in the Irminger Sea in order to better understand the dynamics of the AMOC and predict global climate change more accurately. world.com
CALENDAR:
Meeting of the UNCCD Conference of the Parties (COP16)
When: 2-13 December December
Where: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
More information: Website
Not to be confused with the UN Biodiversity Conference: COP16 will bring together world leaders to take action on drylands under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). Since the last UNCCD Conference of the Parties in May 2022 in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), this will be the world’s largest summit on land issues.
THE LAST:
The bad news doesn’t stop: A damper for Europe’s battery industry – Northvolt files for bankruptcy protection
The Swedish battery company Northvolt, a beacon of hope for the European energy transition, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the USA. The move follows a failed rescue package and means that the reorganisation will be monitored by the courts. While the news has shaken the industry, the company intends to continue with key projects such as the construction of the factory in Heide, Germany and production in Sweden.The Chapter 11 proceedings will provide Northvolt with access to much-needed financing, including $145 million in cash collateral and $100 million in debtor-in-possession financing, which has priority over existing debt. According to the company, business operations will continue during the reorganisation process in order to supply customers, serve suppliers and secure employee wages.Most importantly, the flagship Gigafactory battery factory in Skellefteå and the plant in Västerås will remain in operation. Subsidiaries in Germany and North America will also continue to operate independently of the insolvency proceedings. Northvolt emphasised that these locations play a crucial role in the company’s strategic realignment.While the news of the insolvency filing reinforces scepticism about Europe’s battery plans, there is hope that the reorganisation will enable Northvolt to secure its ambitious projects and get back on track in the long term. heise.de
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Alle Bilder, wenn nicht anders ausgewiesen: pixabay.com
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