Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Kugler
Inside the press centre at CopenhagenThe reduction commitments laid out in the Copenhagen Accord will not, however, be enough to limit global warming to an increase of 2 degrees Celsius.Continuing the process
In spite of the difficulties involved in reaching compromises, the German government will continue to work for an international climate protection regime.
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle underscored the need for a new approach. "Europe will continue to lead the way,” said the Vice-Chancellor, but Europe alone cannot save the global climate. "We will only be successful if all countries do their bit.”
In Copenhagen the Chancellor offered to host a ministerial-level conference in summer in Bonn. Preparations could be made there for the next Conference of Parties, which is to be held at the end of the year in Mexico.
Setting up a climate agency
The Chancellor also advocated setting up a stronger institution under the aegis of the United Nations. A UN climate agency should monitor compliance with climate protection commitments. The Chancellor envisages an agency that, "is as powerful as, say, the Food and Agriculture Organization or the World Health Organization".
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNFCCC could come together there, putting all negotiating groups under one roof.
Germany supports sustainable industries
Development Minister Dirk Niebel too advocated a new approach to bring the UN forward. "We must underpin the progress we held in our hands in Copenhagen in the draft paper negotiated by the group of 25,” he said in an interview with the Sunday newspaper "Welt am Sonntag".
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Kugler
Angela Merkel and the Federal Government Spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm - a marathon forty hours of negotiations lie behind the ChancellorThe "Copenhagen Accord" was negotiated by 25 heads of government, but the 194-strong conference only "took note” of the paper."Irrespective thereof, we will be expanding support for our partner countries, provided they make serious efforts to reduce emissions and adjust to climate change,” declared Dirk Niebel. In 2009 alone the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) spent about one billion euros to this end.
Germany’s reduction targets
The results of Copenhagen in no way lessen Germany’s ambitious climate protection targets. Emissions will be reduced by 40 percent by 2020.
The Chancellor explained, "During the last legislative period, we already geared our energy scenarios to the 40 percent target. With coherent energy policy in Germany the target can be achieved.” In technological terms this target can only help Germany.
Germany can contribute this 40 percent target to international negotiations at any time.
