Reinforce climate protection, create jobs, and improve competitiveness

REUTERS photo

With regard to the landmark international climate conference in Paris, it is obvious that 2015 marks a turning point in international efforts to combat climate change. For the first time in 25 years of climate diplomacy we see that all major emitting countries are prepared to take concrete action to reduce or limit.

There is a growing consensus that the future of this planet is marked by the phase-out of fossil-fuel use in the course of this century. What may look like a far-off aspiration is in fact a very specific action agenda that requires significant changes in investment patterns from today on. 

Germany has come a long way in 25 years of climate policy: We reduced emissions by about 27% since 1990. Our national climate targets are ambitious and still require additional action. Therefore, in December 2014 the German government adopted the climate action programme 2020 in order to ensure the necessary reductions to achieve our 40 percent reduction target in 2020. 

In order to achieve our ambitious emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 we need to facilitate changes in production and consumption patterns, for instance in the transport sector, but also in the way cities are organised, energy is managed, and how agriculture meets the need for a healthy nutrition. A number of structural changes are already under way. The car industry is investing serious amounts of capital into electric vehicles. The IT industry is investing massively into smart home solutions. Mobility of people in cities becomes smarter with advanced communication technology. 

All of these examples significantly spur innovation and investment as well as represent major opportunities for economic growth and new jobs. Comparable potentials for new and better...

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