I spent 21 hours in Brazil, about 20 hours by plane. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz wanted to demonstrate how serious he is about climate protection during his brief visit to the COP30 climate change conference.
“Recently, we are at a crossroads,” Friedrich Merz told world leaders, urging them to act responsibly in the interests of long-term security and prosperity.
However, it cannot be said that Merz was a good climate chancellor. The current coalition government, formed by the Christian Democrats CDU/CSU and the Social Democrats SPD, has put economic growth at the top of its agenda, betting on Germany’s industry, infrastructure, digitalization and debureaucracy, among other things. Critical voices blame the government for the fact that sustainable growth has become a much lower priority than before.
Questions about Germany’s emissions targets
Belen’s Merz said Germany is committed to innovation and technology to stop climate change, not to mention that the technology to significantly reduce emissions in the form of renewable energy has existed for a long time.
Merz is committed to Germany and Europe’s climate goals, but they are not enough to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. However, while Germany is still considered a pioneer in climate protection, it is now questionable whether it will continue to be so.
“In recent months, Friedrich Merz has not shown a clear policy on climate protection. On the contrary, he is contributing to creating uncertainty in society,” Martin Kaiser from Greenpeace Germany told DW.
Currently, the German population is already increasingly suffering from extreme heat, and the economy is being affected by crop failures and shortages of raw materials as a result of global warming. According to a study carried out by the Ministry of Economy in 2024, the cost to Germany of global warming could reach 900 billion euros in 2050.
How sustainable is Germany’s economic policy in reality?
“German companies are leaders in clean technology, the circular economy and water systems. Goal-oriented realism is the hallmark of our government’s climate change policy,” said German Foreign Minister Johann Vardepur.
But critics are wondering what exactly its purpose is. And they argue that current measures are far from achieving the Paris climate accord, which Germany is obliged to abide by and which the government has ratified.
Whether Germany will even reach climate neutrality by 2045 is at stake. This is stated by the Council of Climate Experts, an independent body that advises the German government on climate issues. At the same time, Economy Minister Katerina Reich is committed to expanding gas infrastructure.
Ottmar Edenhofer, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said in an interview with DW that Reich must be convinced that “climate policy is not an economic obstacle, but above all about ensuring long-term prosperity.”
What does the German government intend to achieve at COP30 in Brazil?
“Following the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, it is now essential to remain united. We can achieve this,” Environment Minister Carsten Schneider stressed before departing for Belem.
In 2024, Germany will make good on its commitment, contributing around $6 billion in climate financing. According to the non-governmental organization Oxfam, this is no longer possible given budget plans for the coming years. Therefore, even though more money is needed internationally, Germany is likely to arrive in Belem with an empty coffer.
At the beginning of the meeting of Heads of State, Brazil created a Forest Fund for the protection of tropical forests. It is expected to be powered by a total of 25 billion public funds and raise an additional 100 billion from private investors. This money will be used to reward forest conservation in tropical countries.
Norway has already pledged $3 billion, Indonesia $1 billion and France 500 million euros. Germany wants to participate in a substantial amount, but Merz has not yet been able to specify the amount.
(milliseconds/CP)
About The Author
