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You are here: Home / General Article / Climate protection is important…

2. July 2019 | Monika Griefahn

Climate protection is important…

…not least as an economic factor. That was the conclusion drawn at an event titled “Climate protection as an innovation driver for the economy” organized recently by Svenja Schulze, Germany’s Federal Minister for the Environment. The realization should be reason enough to finally take the foot off the brakes in terms of climate protection and to fully commit to the goals of Paris. This applies to businesses, politicians and consumers alike.

Svenja Schulze und Monika Griefahn stehen zusammen.

Monika Griefahn and Svenja Schulze

Because caring about the climate means ensuring innovation and renewal. For example, research and development into solar energy is still a very viable sector in Germany, and one which creates jobs. Companies such as the chemical manufacturer Werner & Mertz are pioneering the use of recycled packaging materials while at the same time creating a competitive advantage for themselves. Numerous tradespeople and craftsmen benefit from a wealth of decentralized projects relating to the supply of renewable energies.

TECHNOLOGY EXPORT

Exports also profit: In its latest report, “Economic Opportunities through Climate Protection”, the Federal Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt, UBA) has put a focus on sales abroad. According to the report, the greatest proportion among climate protection technology goods is taken up by goods for renewable energy systems as well as measurement and control technology. German exporters, in terms of their share of deliveries of imports by other countries, have a particularly strong market position in terms of air pollution control goods (16.6 per cent) and measurement and control technology (16.8 per cent). From 2009 to 2013, exports rose by 36.5 percent.

In his speech, Dr Dirk Röttgers, a political analyst with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), concluded that an ambitious climate policy through, among other things, new investments would lead to a net increase of the gross domestic product (GDP) by 4.6 percent − including the value of the damage mitigated as a result of climate protection measures.

GERMANY PLACES THIRD FOR CLIMATE PATENTS

The fact that the economy has long been on the way, was illustrated by figures from the Federal Environmental Agency that were presented by Dr Andreas Burger. Patent applications in Germany for technologies related to climate protection increased more than twice as fast as the overall number of patent applications, he explained. The focus, he said, was on innovations in the field of renewable energies. On a global scale, Germany is in third place behind Japan and the US in terms of patent applications for climate protection technologies. Burger added that a total of 1,514,000 jobs had been created in Germany in 2017 as a result of increasing climate protection efforts. They include jobs in energy-efficient building renovation, renewable energies, services and production.

How and by whom this development can be pushed further was a main topic both in the contributions by the speakers as well as in numerous discussions on the sidelines of the event. One of the most important factors are political decisions. For example, Dr Andreas Burger demanded more planning security to be enshrined in the forthcoming Climate Protection Act, which, according to Minister Schulze, will be passed before the end of this year. Burger also called for increased funding for innovative climate protection solutions and for a reduction of distortions in competition at the expense of climate protection technologies. He also pleaded for the integration of climate protection aspects into education and training and for the building-up of climate-compatible infrastructures.

A GREENER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY?

In addition, the lecture of political analyst Röttgers made clear that steering progress in climate protection isn’t just up to politicians. He argued that the financial sector also has a role to play. According to Röttgers, it has to create tailor-made financing options for climate protection innovations while at the same time helping to streamline public and private interests in terms of infrastructure financing. It also must consider climate aspects in investment decisions and integrate them into strategy planning. Climate-related risks and opportunities must be made transparent.

However, Röttgers acknowledged that the discussions surrounding this sector served as proof that the financial sector still isn’t certain what “green” means for the industry. After all, insurance companies were the first ones to assess climate impacts in the 1970s and to integrate them into their products where necessary. The results often include higher premiums, caps on damage sums or the introduction of deductibles. So climate change already comes at a direct cost to many consumers. If experts such as the ones present at the event expect climate protection measures to have a positive impact on innovation and growth, then any reservations against the urgently needed steps should be invalidated.

The “Fridays for Future” movement and the results of the European elections at the end of May are the most recent reminders of the fact that people in many countries, not just on this continent but around the world, feel an urgent need for action. Consequently, I call on decision makers to show more courage.

Filed Under: General Article, Politics

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Insights

Appointments

March 28, 2023: Keynote at the Automotive Industry Association VDA on “New Solutions for Climate Neutral Drives” Read more about the conference here (in German).

March 30, 2023: Participation in the real estate congress of the Federal Association of Free Real Estate and Housing Companies (BFW). Discussion in the panel “Departure into the circular economy.” Click here for the program (in German).

April 4, 2023: Announcement of the “Potato of the year” in the open-air museum at the Kiekeberg

April 20, 2023: Start of the four-day nature film festival Lüneburger Heide under the patronage of Monika Griefahn. You will find the program here shortly (in German).


Nature Film Festival Lueneburg Heath

Planning group for the next Nature Film Festival Lueneburg Heath.

April 20-24, 2023: 2nd Nature Film Festival Lueneburg Heath with Monika Griefahn as patron. At four venues in the region of the Lüneburger Heide Nature Park, after 2021, it is once again: “Film off!” Visitors can expect fantastic nature films, stirring documentaries and, above all, great conversations with filmmakers and experts. From now on, check the status of the program planning at www.films4future.de (German).


Cradle to Cradle Congress 2021

Logo C2C-Congress

Cradle to Cradle Congress 2021: Because of the Corona pandemic the C2C Conress took place in three parts this year: The first one was on June 14, 2021 in Freiburg. The second took place on September 7, 2021 in Mainz, the third November 4, 2021 in Mönchengladbach.


eFuels

Synthetic fuels are one of the decisive factors for the energy transition away from fossile fuels. That is why I am committed to the further development and practical use of eFuels and became a member of the Sounding Board of the eFuel Alliance in May 2021.
English website of the eFuel Alliance


Climate committee

Constituent session: Photo: City of Buchholz / Helms

In May 2021, the climate committee was constituted in the climate forum at my place of residence in Buchholz in the Nordheide. I am pleased to be chairwoman of the advisory board! The city has set itself the goal of becoming climate neutral and there is still a lot to do to achieve this. The committee advises the municipal  administration on fundamental questions of climate policy.
To the article on the Buchholz website (in German)


Right Livelihood Laureate 2021

Right Livelihood Award

They stand up against violence and climate change and address the most pressing questions of our time: Marthe Wandou (Cameroon), Wladimir Sliwjak (Russia), Freda Huson (People of the Wet’suwet’en, Canada) and the Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (India) are the winners of the Right Livelohood Award (“Alternative Nobel Prize”) 2021. Please find here the award ceremony documentation or read more about the laureates in our blog.


Federal Order of Merit

After the award ceremony, Olaf Lies, Monika Griefahn and Rainer Rempe stand together. Photo: Frank Ossenbrink

After the award ceremony, Olaf Lies, Monika Griefahn and Rainer Rempe stand together. Photo: Frank Ossenbrink

Our CEO Dr. Monika Griefahn received the Federal Order of Merit. Please read more about her biography and about the award ceremony in our blog.


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