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ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE
ENVIRONMENT &
CLIMATE
A Pioneer in Climate Policy ∙ Innovative Force behind Climate Cooperation ∙
Energy Reform - A Project for Generations ∙
Greentech – A Sector with a Future ∙ Essential Diversity
INSIGHT
A PIONEER IN CLIMATE POLICY
The 21st century is regarded as the “century of
even striving for at least 80 percent by 2050. By
the environment”. In other words: the extent to
the end of 2014 it had already achieved a reduc-
which the natural living conditions of future
tion of 27 percent.
generations on Earth change will be decided in
the next decades. A rise in the speed of climate
Internationally as well, the Federal Govern-
change is primarily regarded as the main dan-
ment actively supports environmental protec-
ger. Environmental and climate protection
tion, cooperation on energy issues, and climate-
have long been a high priority in Germany. In-
friendly development. Germany is the driving
ternationally, Germany leads the way in climate
force in the EU, which since the 1992 United
protection and is a pioneer in the development
Nations summit in Rio de Janeiro has been a pi-
of renewable energy sources.
oneer in international climate policy. It supports the objective of limiting global warming
With the changes to the energy sector, referred
to a maximum of two degrees Celsius. To this
to as the Energy Reform, Germany is leaving the
end, the emission of carbon dioxide in the in-
age of fossil and nuclear energy clearly behind
dustrialised countries needs to be reduced by
it and heading fast for a future that hinges on
80 to 95 percent. During Germany’s Presidency
sustainable energy sources. This involves a
of the G7 in 2015, the leading industrialised na-
gradual exit from nuclear power by 2022. Fur-
tions resolved to speed up termination of the
thermore, by 2020 Germany plans to have re-
use of fossil fuels as an energy source. Complete
duced its emission of carbon dioxide by 40 per-
“decarbonisation” is intended to be ac hieved
cent in comparison to the 1990 levels, and is
before the century is out. The UN Secretariat