Joint press release with Federal Ministry of Education and Research
On Monday the German Advisory Council on Global Change (WBGU) presented the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Research Ministry with its policy paper "New impetus for climate policy: making the most of Germany's dual presidency". After the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change made it clear that climate change is advancing and that it is accelerated by human action, the WBGU's statement now offers important advise on how to respond to this development.
"According to the IPCC report there is no question about the urgent need for action. And after the publication of the Stern Report we now know that taking action is more cost-effective than not doing anything" emphasised Michael Müller, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry on this occasion. "The EU has to extend its leading role in international climate policy and give new momentum to ambitious climate protection goals in international negotiations. Therefore, the European Council in March should decide that the EU will reduce its emissions by 30 percent compared to 1990 within the framework of a post 2012 climate protection agreement. Regardless of whether a new international agreement will be achieved, the EU should commit right away to reducing its emissions by at least 20 per cent. With our partners we want to agree on concrete measures in the sector of energy efficiency to press ahead with decarbonising our industry."
Thomas Rachel, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Research Ministry said: "With regard to future generations we need an intelligent change in technologies today. Germany already has a pioneering position in this sector which we want to strengthen. The Federal Research Ministry will continue to expand its measures for climate protection and provide 255 million euro over the next 3 years through the action programme "Forschung für den Klimawandel" (Research for Climate Change). The aim of the research is to gain an even better understanding of climate change and the development of technologies with which can we curve the emission of greenhouse gases and also prepare for the climate changes to come. Examples are zero-emission vehicles, secure final disposal of carbon dioxide from power plants and a sustainable water supply in extreme weather conditions. Furthermore we will put more emphasis on promoting basic research on energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. We should always bear in mind that the development of climate-friendly technologies entails great opportunities for Germany's competitiveness in the global economy. This is what the Federal Government's High-tech strategy action plan is based on. The WBGU confirms that this is also the right path to climate protection."
Further information:
- WBGU policy paper: New impetus for climate policy: making the most of Germany's dual presidency