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Many demands ahead of the car summit today: Ahead of the „car summit“ organised by Economics Minister Robert Habeck, there are numerous demands to support the German car industry, which is struggling with weak electric car sales. The SPD is proposing a „scrappage scheme 2.0“ in which buyers of a new electric car would receive 6,000 euros. A subsidy for used e-cars and charging infrastructure is also being discussed. The CDU/CSU, on the other hand, is calling for a relaxation of CO2 regulations and greater openness to technology. While IG Metall is calling for a new subsidy package for electromobility, the President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) rejects subsidies for individual companies and sees the main responsibility for the car industry’s problems with the manufacturers themselves. Environmental organisations such as Greenpeace are calling for a socially staggered premium for small e-cars and an end to tax privileges for combustion engines. Industry experts such as Ferdinand Dudenhöffer warn that the discussions about new premiums could increase consumer uncertainty and put additional pressure on the market for electric cars. wiwo.de, faz.net, manager-magazin.de, bild.de

Von der Leyen predicts turbulent times ahead: Energy and climate legislation in the EU will be turbulent in the 2020s. In her mandate letters to the designated Commissioners, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has emphasised that climate protection will continue to be the focus, but with a stronger focus on business-friendly measures. The aim is to reduce CO2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2040, with electrification and the expansion of renewable energies being key elements. Von der Leyen also plans to abolish subsidies for fossil fuels and strengthen the EU internal market through cleantech initiatives. Meanwhile, an international research team led by the University of Groningen in the Netherlands fears that the EU’s Green Deal will come at the expense of other regions. euractiv.de , dw.com

54,584 co-plaintiffs

have filed a constitutional complaint against the government’s climate policy together with Greenpeace and Germanwatch. The number of climate complaints is increasing worldwide. For the first time, all people living in Germany aged 14 and over were able to take part. As the constitutional complaint is intended to set the course for a climate-friendly future, Greenpeace and Germanwatch have christened it the „Future Complaint“. The plaintiffs are demanding a „constitutionally compliant climate protection law“ and measures to reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the transport sector. handelsblatt.com

Habeck puts pressure on climate protection: In view of the current flood disasters in Central Europe, Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) is calling for more resolute climate protection that promotes the expansion of renewable energies and climate-friendly industrial production. Both Habeck and climate researchers emphasise the clear link between the climate crisis and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall. Environment Minister Steffi Lemke is also calling for better flood prevention through stronger dykes and more space for rivers in order to mitigate future disasters. spiegel.de

Climate plan at an end? Billion-euro projects are failing non-stop: Several billion-euro projects in the „transformative supply policy“ of Economics Minister Robert Habeck have failed or been delayed, including investments by Intel and Thyssenkrupp. Critics such as Jens Spahn (CDU) see the concept as a failure and are calling for less bureaucracy and cheaper energy. Felix Banaszak (Greens) believes the approach is right, but sees a need for adjustment. Both politicians agree that lowering energy prices is urgently needed. focus.de

Climate targets unattainable? A recent study by the University of Hamburg still sees the 1.5-degree target as unattainable. In the „Hamburg Climate Futures Outlook 2024“, which has been published since 2021, the researchers analyse social trends that influence climate protection. Among other things, they criticise the behaviour of companies, rising consumption and continued investment in fossil fuels. „Massive investments are being made in oil, gas and coal again,“ emphasises co-author and sociology professor Anita Engels. The study presents examples from regions such as Hamburg, north-east Lower Saxony and São Paulo in Brazil that illustrate the extent of these developments. rnd.de

Teresa Ribera: Will be Super Commissioner for the double transformation. EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen has presented the candidates for the next EU Commission. It is clear that climate protection remains a key issue, but should not be at the expense of industrial competitiveness. climatereporter.com

 

BOOKTIP OF THE WEEK:

„Kompass Konsumreduktion“ – Ein Wegweiser zu einem bewussteren Leben

„Kompass Konsumreduktion“ is a compact guide that shows in just 68 pages how you can free yourself from excess and adopt more sustainable consumer behaviour. The book offers a balanced mix of theoretical principles about today’s consumer society and practical tips for everyday life. Particularly successful are the exercises suitable for everyday use, which encourage the reader to think critically about their own possessions and consumption. It’s not just about sorting things out, but also questioning underlying needs and developing a more sustainable lifestyle. The guide has a clear, practical structure and invites readers on an exciting journey where they can actively implement changes in their own lives. For anyone who wants to take the first step towards more conscious consumption, „Compass for Reducing Consumption“ offers valuable guidance. It is recommended for people who want to take a closer look at their consumer behaviour and make long-term changes. oekom.de

 


In a nutshell:

UN Future Summit: A pact for the future, adopted by the United Nations, should enable all people to live a good life. But the industrialised countries are putting the brakes on. taz.de
UN Future Summit 2: Despite a temporary Russian blockade, the UN General Assembly has adopted a pact of principles for the renewal of the international order. The President of the largest UN body, Philemon Yang, declared the UN Pact for the Future, negotiated under German leadership, adopted in New York. sueddeutsche.de
Strong heating networks for a secure supply: How the climate, households and suppliers benefit. agora-energiewende.de
Climate protests: Thousands take part in Fridays for Future’s „climate strike“ in Berlin. rbb.de
Austria: There is a majority in favour of a bold climate policy across all parties – if it were up to their voters. derstandard.at
US climate policy after Biden: Less dirty, but still nowhere near the green goal. nzz.ch
European climate policy: no demonstrable relocation of production by German companies to non-European countries. bundesbank.de
Water shortage: The Middle East is suffering from more and more droughts. This is also affecting electricity production. Are there ways out? And what role does climate change play? dw.com
EU Parliament: Rejects pesticide residues in imported food. euractiv.de
Solar technology: Solar manufacturer Meyer Burger plans job cuts. tagesspiegel.de
Arctic under pressure: Greenpeace report warns of devastating consequences of planned deep-sea mining. oekonews.at
Climate change makes apples more expensive: 90 per cent crop failure in eastern Germany. freitag.de
Farmers feel climate change: „It’s already very warm for wheat in southern Germany“. n-tv.de
Possibleenvironmental impact: Google plans to rebuild its data centre in Chile. heise.de
Intel construction freeze causes traffic light dispute:The construction of a chip plant in Magdeburg has been delayed due to economic problems. The traffic lights are apparently at odds over the redistribution of the billions in subsidies. zeit.de
Start-up: Binds tonnes of CO2 in the Hetlingen sewage treatment plant. ndr.de
Reductionin grid fees: Habeck wants the state to pre-finance grid expansion. n-tv.de

E-mobility: More than every second newly registered electric car is an SUV. zeit.de
Europe’s car manufacturers declare the electric turnaround a failure: In view of weakening e-car sales,the lobby organisation ACEA believes that the timely electrification of the car industry is currently not feasible and is calling for stricter C02 regulations. But not everyone in the industry sees it that way. n-tv.de
Germany ticket: 49 euros already the pain threshold for many. stern.de
Norway: More electric cars than petrol cars for the first time. handelsblatt.com
E-scootermonument in Kiel: Opinions differ on the e-scooter. The artist Florian Huber has set one in concrete in Kiel, thereby creating a monument to the debate. monopol-magazin.de

Habeck wants to relax EU rules for hydrogen production: Strict regulations are to apply to green hydrogen. In this way, the EU wants to prevent hydrogen production from slowing down renewable energies. Habeck wants to postpone this target. handelsblatt.com
Germany, Namibia and a controversial megaproject: Clean energy from a national park – is it possible? Germany is planning to import green hydrogen from Namibia. The country is hoping for development. But the megaproject is being heavily criticised. From ecologists – and from descendants of genocide victims. deutschlandfunk.de
Hyundai and Skoda Group: working together for hydrogen fuel cell systems. heise.de
The hydrogen plan is stalling due to too much bureaucracy: the gas is set to become a pillar of the energy system in just a few years. But political uncertainty and too much bureaucracy are jeopardising Germany’s bet on the future. augsburger-allgemeine.de

Electrolysis: Economical with 70 per cent green electricity in the grid. pv-magazine.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:

How will El Niño and La Niña develop in 2024?

There have already been some extremes this year. Extreme heat, extreme rain, extreme sea temperatures. These events were also influenced by El Niño, which formed again in 2024. El Niño is now over and its counterpart La Niña formed unusually quickly. In the new episode of „Wetter, Wissen, Was“, editor Johanna Lindner and meteorologist Hartmut Mühlbauer discuss what is behind the two phenomena, what effects they each have and how this also influences the weather in Germany. 

wetter.com


COMMENT OF THE WEEK:

Why the state should interfere in our diet

by Sven Prange

Prange is concerned with the question of whether the state should intervene to make the population’s diet more sustainable and healthier. The reason for this is a move by the Swiss authorities to include sustainability aspects in their nutritional recommendations for the first time. This move caused a lot of excitement, as food policy often causes social tensions, as previous debates in Germany about meat-free food days or recommendations to reduce meat consumption show.

Two central points are beyond question: firstly, that Germans eat unhealthily and secondly, that dietary habits contribute significantly to climate change. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 37% of global CO₂ emissions come from agriculture and the food industry. The idea of linking health and climate protection, as the Swiss authorities are doing, could therefore help to reduce environmental pollution and food waste. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) also supports a more plant-based diet in order to both promote health and conserve the earth’s resources.

However, there are challenges in implementing such recommendations. On the one hand, mixing nutrition and climate policy often causes strong emotional reactions from the public. Many people perceive such guidelines as moral paternalism. On the other hand, the exact carbon footprint of food is difficult to determine. For example, locally produced meat could be more climate-friendly than imported soya products. The question of whether fresh or processed products are better from an ecological point of view is also not always easy to answer.

Sven Prange , that it makes sense in principle to combine health and climate protection in nutrition. However, the increasing complexity of nutritional recommendations could overwhelm the population and lead to the message not being properly understood or implemented. Clearer and simpler guidelines are therefore needed to protect both people’s health and the planet. read the full article in Handelsblatt


LAST WEEK IN THE BUNDESTAG:

CDU/CSU asks about environmental calculator at UBA: The CDU/CSU parliamentary group has submitted a minor question (20/12867) on the background to the CO2 calculator on the website of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). In it, the parliamentary group asks, among other things, who owns the calculator and is therefore responsible „for both actions and omissions“ – the UBA as a federal authority or KlimAktiv gGmbH. Among other things, the MPs want to know who citizens should contact if they want to assert „specific enforceable sanctions in the event of legal misconduct or data protection claims for information or deletion“. In order to be able to calculate their current carbon footprint, citizens would have to provide a wide range of information, such as how they live, are mobile or travel. The enquiry also asks for „very personal and data protection-relevant information“ such as age, gender, weight, income or consumption of animal products.

Union asks about identifiers in development cooperation: The CDU/CSU parliamentary group has submitted a minor interpellation (20/12870) on the use of so-called identifiers in development cooperation. Among other things, the parliamentary group wants to know which identifiers (cross-sectoral, instrumental and funding area codes) have been agreed by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and which identifiers are used by the German government. The Union is also interested in the percentage change in the values for the assigned identifiers and the values for the assigned secondary objectives compared to the past three years. The MPs also asked whether the average number of identifiers awarded for the secondary objectives has changed since Federal Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) took office and whether it is true that bilateral development cooperation projects that do not include the main objective of gender equality (GG2) must be submitted to the State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The use of identifiers is a common instrument in development policy to determine the area of activity for which funds are being used and to what extent, the enquiry explains.

Grants for the purchase of new electric vehicles: The Federal Government’s plans for subsidies for the purchase of new electric vehicles and their registration figures up to 2030 are once again the subject of a minor interpellation (20/12856) and a question on the Federal Government’s answer (20/11893) to the minor interpellation on Bundestag printed paper (20/10852). The MPs want to know from the Federal Government how many fully electric vehicles should be registered in Germany in 2030 according to the Federal Government’s current target and on what scientific basis the Federal Government is determining its target for 2030. They are also asking whether „a causal relationshipbetween the discontinuation of the environmental bonus, the slump in new registrations of electric vehicles after the discontinuation of the environmental bonus and the realisation of the target for the number of electrically powered vehicles in 2030″.

 

TAKEN LITERALLY:

The federal elections are next year, so the Greens, FDP and SPD still have a year to fulfil their climate promises. A lot has happened in some areas, such as the expansion of renewables. At the same time, climate destruction is happening elsewhere. There are plans for a new gas field off the coast of Borkum. There are also plans to drill for gas in Bavaria – and new fossil fuel projects are not compatible with the 1.5-degree limit. Of course, we are also addressing all other parties. They must all deliver 1.5-degree-compliant programmes. The Bundestag elections must not be an election in which the question is: climate, yes or no? It must be: climate protection yes, but how?

Clara Reemtsma, Fridays for Future, she also explained, that (due to the different views on the Gaza conflict, ed.) international cooperation was initially paused last year and then carefully examined with whom and for what purpose a joint activity would make sense. They remained in close contact with some groups from other countries, but not with others. This process is ongoing and talks continue to take place with many groups. The fact that climate strikes are taking place in different places at the same time does not mean that they are cooperating with every group involved. They emphasised that they were young people who were concerned about the climate. As the climate crisis could only be solved jointly and internationally, they realised that cooperation was essential. At the same time, they strictly adhered to the German constitution and were opposed to both anti-Semitism and racism. Cooperation with groups that did not share these basic values was not possible. However, they are certain that the majority of the movement represents these values. Their central issue remains climate protection, not foreign policy, and that is also what their protests are about. fr.de

 

AFRICA:

Nigeria: Russia is very popular with young Africans. dw.com
Bill Gates calls for more aid for Africa. focus.de
Debt jeopardises the fight against Aids in Africa: According to a UN report, the high level of debt in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa is preventing the adequate financing of important health programmes, for example to combat Aids. aerzteblatt.de

„The rain is out of control, houses and crops are being washed away“ Flawa, 23, comes from Tanzania. She explains why droughts and water shortages are also causing more accidents in her home country. sueddeutsche.de

South Africa: South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has attempted to defuse a major dispute within his fragile ruling coalition by delaying the implementation of the most controversial part of a new education bill. A row over language policy threatened the stability of the 10-party government that emerged after the African National Congress (ANC) lost its parliamentary majority in May’s election. Ramaphosa announced a three-month consultation period when the bill was signed into law. However, John Steenhuisen, the leader of the second largest coalition party, the Democratic Alliance (DA), confirmed that he would challenge the law in court. bbc.com

Media tip: Africa in transition – opportunities and challenges: Africa continues to struggle with corruption, political instability and poverty, but the continent is on the move. With a young population and a growing spirit of innovation, countries such as Kenya, South Africa and Botswana are showing initial success. At the same time, China and Russia are gaining influence, creating new geopolitical dynamics. How is Africa developing? What role does Europe play in this transformation? And how can relations between the continents be shaped sustainably? These and other questions are addressed in the current debate. An exciting topic for anyone interested in the future of Africa and its global significance. 3sat.de

MORE KNOWLEDGE:

Global warming intensifies heavy rainfall and flooding in Europe and becomes a turbo: the recent floods in Central and Eastern Europe have affected almost two million people and claimed at least 24 lives. Experts blame climate change for the intensity of the storms, as warmer Mediterranean water absorbs more moisture and thus causes heavier rainfall. In some regions, up to 400 litres of rain per square metre fell in just a few days. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has pledged financial aid totalling ten billion euros to help rebuild the affected areas. Experts warn that extreme weather like this will occur more frequently in the future and are calling for increased prevention measures. Every euro spent on prevention could significantly reduce future damage and costs. climatereporter.com

„Megatsunami“ makes the earth shake for nine days: One year ago, in September 2023, scientists around the world registered an unusual seismic signal that lasted for nine days. The cause was a massive landslide in the Dickson Fjord in Greenland, in which 25 million cubic metres of rock and ice fell into the water. The landslide triggered a megatsunami, the waves of which were up to 200 metres high and created a so-called „rocking wave“, which explained the unusual seismic signal. The researchers attribute this event to climate change, which is melting glaciers and increasing the risk of further landslide tsunamis. They warn that such climate-related phenomena will increase and challenge our understanding of the Earth. fr.de

Jet stream shifts northwards: Climate change has a wide range of effects, from heavier rainfall in Europe and Asia to increased forest fires and crop failures. A less obvious consequence, which is not as directly apparent in everyday life as extreme weather events, has now been demonstrated in more detail by researchers: the shift in the jet stream around the North Pole. This huge air current at high altitudes influences the weather in many regions of the world. Changes in the jet stream are associated with heatwaves in Europe, for example. In a new study published in the scientific journal „Geophysical Research Letters“, British scientists were able to demonstrate a precise shift in the polar jet stream over the North Pacific using comprehensive statistical analyses. derstandard.at

 

CALENDAR:

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.

Expert discussion „Mandatory transfer of edible food“

Time: Monday, 23 September 2024, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Place: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room E 200
The meeting is open to the public.

In its public expert discussion on Monday, 23 September 2024, the Committee on Food and Agriculture will deal with the topic „On recommendation 3: Mandatory transfer of edible food by food retailers“ of the citizens‘ report „Nutrition in transition: between private matters and state tasks“.

Federal government strategies for global health

Time: Monday, 23 September 2024, 5 p.m . to 6.45 p.m.
Location: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room E 600
The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast on www.bundestag.de.

It is possible to follow the public meeting of the Subcommittee on Global Health on 23 September 2024 from 17:00 via livestream. This can be found at www.bundestag.de and on the website of the Subcommittee on Global Health.

Consultation on accelerating the hydrogen ramp-up

Time: Wednesday, 25 September 2024, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: Berlin, Paul-Löbe-Haus, meeting room E.200
The meeting is open to the public and will be broadcast on www.bundestag.de.

Draft bill of the Federal Government

Draft law to accelerate the availability of hydrogen and to amend further legal framework conditions for the hydrogen ramp-up as well as to amend further

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 host 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
Meeting of the 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 Loss and Damage Fund.
In November, heads of state and government and delegates from around 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 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:

Europe’s semiconductor target: from unrealistic to almost impossible

With the EU Chips Act, the EU has set itself the ambitious target of achieving a 20 per cent share of global semiconductor production by 2030, which would require a quadrupling of current production. However, this target appears increasingly unrealistic, as many new semiconductor plants are being built around the world, especially in the USA, Asia and China, while European projects, such as Intel’s fabs in Magdeburg, have been delayed. Even if these factories were fully operational by 2030, Europe would probably fall far short of its target.

Semiconductors not only play an important role in technology, but are also essential to achieving climate targets. They are crucial for the development of technologies such as electromobility, renewable energies and efficient energy storage. Without sufficient chip production in Europe, progress in these areas could be hindered, which could jeopardise the implementation of climate protection measures.

Despite the efforts of former EU Commissioner Thierry Breton to strengthen Europe’s position in the semiconductor market, delays and international competition make it almost impossible to achieve the 20 per cent target. However, an increased focus on expanding semiconductor production remains essential, not only for Europe’s technological independence, but also for the fight against climate change. heise.de

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