Climate goals not yet achieved collectively – but Germany can be a source of encouragement

Despite the alarming reports on the state of the climate, the United Nations is optimistic about the world climate conference, which begins in Glasgow on Sunday.

Geneva – The promises made so far on climate protection have not yet been kept, said the highest-ranking German representative at the United Nations, Achim Steiner, of the German Press Agency in Geneva. “But it’s not just all hot air.” Steiner referred to the EU’s billion-euro package for a more climate-neutral future. The US and China also have such plans, and India has launched one of the world’s largest renewable energy investment programs.

“Given where we need to be, we are still not acting consistently enough. But in view of where we were five years ago, a lot more is happening, ”says Steiner. He referred to the fact that, according to all forecasts, with the efforts made to date in climate protection, the world will not be able to limit warming to 1.5 to 2 degrees as targeted. Steiner heads the UN Development Program (UNDP) for the fight against poverty. He is number 3 in the UN hierarchy behind UN Secretary General António Guterres and his deputy Amina Mohammed.

Many people are disappointed with their governments, said Steiner. “Those up there” have disappointed public interest in too many ways. We only saw to a very limited extent from our political and economic leadership elite the knowledge and courage that we need to create the enormous transformation that we will have to master in the next 15 to 20 years. “

Steiner sees two options for the conference in Glasgow: “Glasgow can either encourage courage, send signals, mobilize funds and accelerate politics, or it can make the world feel that we are failing. The latter would be poison for any kind of progressive climate policy, especially for the financial markets, the economy. ” The conference must show that the world will move further and faster than before in the transition to climate neutrality.

Germany sees Steiner on the encouragement side. “At this moment of the collective perception of a new beginning, Germany can give encouragement as one of the largest economies,” said Steiner. The federal government has set clear accents with changes in the law. “Germany can see itself as a pioneer, as a country that can be the engine of global change with the self-confidence gained from the experience of recent years and decades and with the courage to innovate.” (dpa)