Picture: Getty Images

Climate

Our atmosphere is a small miracle of nature. It contains so-called greenhouse gases that form a protective layer around the earth and prevent the heat emitting from earth disappearing into space. The earth would be bitterly cold without these greenhouse gases. Instead, we have a constant temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius. Our problem today is that the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere has risen too much.

More information on this topic

Picture: Digital Vision

Emissions trading

In the Kyoto Protocol, negotiated in 1997, the participating industrialised countries committed themselves to a 5% reduction in emissions of climate-damaging gases - such as carbon dioxide - by the period 2008-2012 as compared with 1990. The European Union has agreed to cut its emissions by 8% during the years 2008-2012 as compared to the level of 1990.

More information on this topic

Logo Climate Initiative

Climate Initiative

Since the beginning of 2008 the Federal Environment Ministry (BMU) has made available up to 400 million euro from the sale of emissions allowances for a Climate Initiative. The Climate Initiative consists of national and international measures. The goal is to tap existing major potential for reducing emissions in a cost-effective way and on a large scale.

More information on this topic

Picture: BMU / Brigitte Hiss

Energy Efficiency

Demand for energy is increasing worldwide. The situation on the energy markets is escalating and energy prices are soaring. Fossil fuel burning is on the increase and is speeding up climate change. Improving energy efficiency, on the other hand, has a dampening effect on energy prices, reduces energy import dependency, cuts emissions of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2), increases security of supply and counteracts energy distribution conflicts.

More information on this topic

Picture: Digital Vision

Renewable Energy

The fossil fuels oil, coal and gas have two major disadvantages: their availability is not infinite and their combustion generates climate-damaging emissions - causing considerable subsequent damage and costs. The increased use of renewable energies is therefore not only reasonable but also has macroeconomic benefits. Germany and the EU will therefore drastically step up their use of renewable energies.

www.erneuerbare-energien.de/english