Federal Cabinet adopts first strategy for foreign climate policy
The Federal Cabinet adopted its own foreign climate policy strategy for the first time on Wednesday. It is "the most comprehensive strategy of its kind worldwide", explained the Federal Foreign Office. The paper combines the climate policy goals and measures of the various ministries. It also defines priorities and creates a roadmap for "coherent government action in foreign climate policy".
The adoption of the strategy is "also a signal to the world that Germany is leading the way in international climate protection and is a reliable and supportive partner", explained the Federal Foreign Office. The signal is aimed in particular at those states "that want to achieve something in climate policy", explained Annalena Baerbock, head of the department. They must seize the opportunity to "lead the world onto the vital 1.5-degree path".
In addition to the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development were also involved in the drafting process. Climate protection is "a cross-cutting task for our government", explained Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens). "We are at our strongest when we reconcile our different interests in the climate, energy and trade sectors on the way to a carbon-free economy."
When it took office two years ago, the traffic light coalition made changes to the departmental responsibilities for climate policy. The area of international climate policy was transferred from the Federal Ministry for the Environment to the Federal Foreign Office, where a new office of State Secretary for Climate was also created.
The environmental protection organization Greenpeace welcomed the adoption of the strategy - and called on the German government to adhere to the guidelines. "Foreign Minister Baerbock can and must use this to support CO2 reduction and climate adaptation strategies in other countries," explained Greenpeace Managing Director Martin Kaiser. At the same time, he warned: "However, the new foreign climate policy will lose all effect if the current budget crisis of the traffic light system leads to a collapse in international and national climate protection."
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The strategy for foreign climate policy, adopted by the Federal Cabinet, includes a focus on creating a roadmap for coherent government action. This is seen as crucial to Germany's role as a leader in international climate protection and a supportive partner to states aiming to achieve their climate goals.
The comprehensive climate policy strategy, involving multiple ministries, underscores the cross-cutting nature of climate protection as a task for the German government, ensuring a balanced approach in climate, energy, and trade sectors.
Source: www.ntv.de
