Global climate partnerships – the key to prosperity and climate stability
National egoisms are gaining strength worldwide. At the same time, major global challenges remain unresolved, for example in the areas of climate, biodiversity and increasing inequality. The decisive demographic and economic dynamics are taking place primarily in developing and emerging countries. By the end of the 21st century, two billion people will have been added to the current population of around 8.2 billion. Many millions of people want to escape poverty – at last. And the countries in the Global South will develop, one way or another.
Because the problems remain unresolved, recognisable trends continue, global temperatures are rising and the associated risks are increasing. In this situation, GES is relying on the voice of reason: global cooperation, especially in the areas of climate and development. The climate will either be protected worldwide – or not at all.
Our approach in this newsletter: enable sustainable development, think internationally, invest globally and act pragmatically. The individual articles in the newsletter:
- In the editorial, we describe the challenges of international climate cooperation and our approach.
- In an overview article, we explore the starting point and political developments in global climate policy: from Kyoto to Paris. Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement plays a central role here, with the undergoing important further development, particularly at COP29 in Baku (November 2024).
- We also explain five key conditions for the success of global climate partnerships. These include a massive increase in the volume of finance deployed, good governance, the comprehensive establishment of nature-based sink programmes and economic cooperation on an equal footing between industrialised and developing countries.
- This ties in with the interview with Franz Josef Radermacher, which was recently published in WELT. It is entitled “Es muss Schluss sein mit dem Klimanationalismus” (Climate nationalism must end) – and fits in perfectly with the focus of this newsletter.
Global Energy Solutions’ position: Now is the time to become the role model the world urgently needs through bold and fair partnership policies. As long as rich countries such as Germany or the EU want to meet their climate targets primarily through national measures, they are closing themselves off to a real solution for climate protection. If we want to achieve global net zero, we must not only act ambitiously, but also in solidarity. Investing in international climate partnerships is not only effective, it is the only way to enable global transformation and sustainable development at the same time.
- Another topic in this newsletter: How can greenhouse gas emissions from road traffic be effectively reduced? In June, the German government presented another draft law (implementation of the EU RED III Directive, greenhouse gas reduction quota in transport). Some elements of the draft bill are in line with our proposals, while others need to be significantly improved – a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions can only be achieved through e-mobility AND more ambitious use of low-carbon fuels. We are making concrete proposals to this end.
