Joint declaration signed by State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry Mathias Machnig and the Governor of Florida Charlie Crist
Germany and the US State of Florida will cooperate more closely in the future on matters of climate protection. During his visit to Florida, State Secretary Mathias Machnig and the Governor of Florida Charlie Crist signed a joint declaration last night. Mr Machnig said: "The necessity to take swift action in the field of climate protection can no longer be doubted. Climate change is not a future phenomenon, it is already taking place today and it is affecting our potential for development. Florida is already suffering from a great number of hurricanes. We in Europe believe that the global rise in temperature has to be kept at 2 degrees Celsius against pre-industrial times. It is the only way for us to be able to adapt to climate change at affordable costs".
In the joint declaration both partners stress the close links which exist between Germany and Florida. Many citizens in Florida are of German descent and for many Germans Florida is a favourite holiday destination.
In the declaration both partners also emphasise that they will jointly work on developing concepts for a future climate regime which will be based on the Kyoto Protocol. They want to expand climate-friendly trade between Florida and Germany, develop joint policies in particular in the field of market-based incentives and in the fields of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.
Mr Machnig went on to state: "The dynamism with which climate protection policies have recently been developing in many US States is often overseen in Europe. This joint declaration aims to support this positive trend for the benefit of the environment and industry."
Further Information:
- Declaration: Partnership on Global Climate Change Action between the Federal Republic of Germany and the State of Floridanote