INTERNATIONAL NEWSLETTER 01/13
21 March 2013

undefinedPoland and Germany start bilateral environment project
undefinedFranco-German cooperation strengthened
undefinedUNEP upgraded to universal membership
undefinedGermany and Armenia sign joint declaration on environmental cooperation
undefinedCarbon emissions up by 1.6 % in 2012
undefinedProposal on stabilising electricity prices in Germany
undefined2nd Federal Ecodesign Award

International Environment Policy
The to men sit next to each other, each one of them signing a document copy; between them the German flag


Poland and Germany start bilateral environment project

On 6 March, the German-Polish Environment Council convened to its 16th session in the German town of Göhren-Lebbin. The key areas discussed included climate policy, sustainable energy supply and the environmentally sound development of border regions. Within this context, the neighbouring countries took first steps towards a new bilateral environment project: the construction of a straw powered power plant for the generation of heat in the Polish village of Daszyna. The Federal Environment Ministry will provide funding for the project of around 2.7 million euros from the Environmental Innovation Programme for projects abroad.  undefinedmore

 

Franco-German cooperation strengthened

On 7 February, Federal Environment Minister Peter Altmaier and his French colleague Delphine Batho signed a joint declaration on a close cooperation between Germany and France on energy issues. Like Germany, the French government has decided to increase energy efficiency by pursuing the transformation of its national energy system. undefinedmore

 

 
UNEP-Executive Director Achim Steiner and the Mexican environment Minister at the UNEP Governing Council Session.

UNEP upgraded to universal membership

On 18 February, the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened in Nairobi in a first ever universal session. Based on the Rio+20 decisions, all UN members were for the first time entitled to vote. The Governing Council had its title changed to United Nations Environment Assembly and will in future be the central UN body for environment issues. undefinedmore

 

 
Both men sit next to each other, each one othe them signing a copy of the document.

Germany and Armenia sign joint declaration on environmental cooperation

On 26 February, Federal Environment Minister Peter Altmaier and his Armenian colleague Aram Harutyunyan in Berlin signed a joint declaration on cooperation in the environmental sector, thus laying an important foundation to strengthen the bilateral cooperation between the Federal Environment Ministry and the Armenian Ministry of Nature Protection. undefinedmore
Climate Change Policy
Sun shining on a blue sky, surrounded by a few white clouds

Carbon emissions up by 1.6 % in 2012

According to the first preliminary estimates by the Federal Environment Agency, Gremany's greenhouse gas emissions rose by 1.6 percent in 2012. Still, Germany managed to clearly exceed its reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol. Due to cold weather, more hard coal and lignite was burned for generating electricity and more gas was used to heat dwellings. However, the expansion of renewable energy curbed the rise in emissions. undefinedmore

Transformation of the energy system

Proposal on stabilising electricity prices in Germany

At the first meeting of the Federal government/ Länder round table on the EEG reform on 14 February, Federal Environment Minister Altmaier and Federal Economics Minister Rösler presented a joint proposal on curbing the costs of expanding renewable energy in Germany. The suggestions include subsidy cuts for new plants that are eligible for funding by the EEG act as well as modifications to the so-called EEG apportionment. undefinedmore

Products and Environment

2nd Federal Ecodesign Award

For the second time BMU and the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA) are offering the Federal Ecodesign Award. The competition aims to demonstrate how excellent product design, aesthetics and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Designers and companies as well as designers can submit their ecologically and aesthetically convincing products, services and concepts up to 15 April 2013. undefinedmore
Events
  11. / 12.04.2013
undefinedTowards a Global Carbon Market – Prospects for Emissions Trading, in Berlin
   
Publications
Part of the Cover, showing the title for the Adaption Action Plan German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change, below the title the upper part of the title picture is displaying, showing the top of Brandenburger Tor on a sunny day, , with colourful balloons in front.

Germany's Action Plan for Adaption

The German Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change is designed to support the process of identifying the effects of global climate change and developing adaptation measures. This brochure outlines the national framework for action that fleshes out Germany’s international responsibilities with regard to adaptation to climate change. undefinedmore

 

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