4th BMU Innovation Conference points the way to a new policy for growth, employment and sustainability
In order to tackle the challenges facing us, we need innovative concepts for new, sustainable growth. This was the message from Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Berlin to around 600 participants at the opening of the conference "Green recovery - a new policy for growth, employment and sustainability." "Green tech is an anchor of stability for the German economy and crucial to a new economic upturn", stressed Minister Gabriel. Ecological industrial policy is not only geared to establishing and strengthening new, future-oriented branches of industry. "Its goal is the modernisation of our entire economy: in other words, modernising the existing industrial core towards resource efficiency," he continued.
In a joint strategy paper drawn up for the conference on modernising Germany's economy, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel analyse the economic and ecological challenges and outline a strategy for new, sustainable growth. Such a 'green recovery' not only requires economic stimulus packages, but also a strategy for long-term, low-carbon, resource-efficient and fair economic growth. "Times of economic change create the opportunity for sustainable restructuring. Future-oriented investments open up the option of targeted support for innovation and of developing processes and products of the future," says the strategy.
In order to structure this change and move towards resource-efficient, low-carbon growth, Ministers Steinmeier and Gabriel call for a new concept for progress, since in their view the economic and development model of traditional industrial societies cannot be a role model for the 21st century. They stressed, however, that the answer to these challenges cannot be to turn away from global development and economic growth. "We have to adjust our economic model and place innovation at the centre," noted the ministers.
The concept of ecological industrial policy should serve as guidance for economic modernisation. This includes
- climate protection policy that lives up to its name
- an ambitious energy strategy in all areas
- the further expansion of renewable energies
- sustainable use of bioenergy
- innovation in the mobility sector
- resolute measures in the fields of environment, qualification, education and training.
Holding on to outdated, high-risk technologies such as nuclear power preserves structures and prevents the modernisation of the German economy. "Advocates of nuclear power pose a threat to the future of renewables, blocking innovation, investments and thus lead markets and technologies of the 21st century," stressed Minster Gabriel.
In contrast, German industry could save around 100 billion euros per year by applying resource-efficient production processes. "And, in the current climate, what is even more important is that through the ecological restructuring of our economy we can create one million new and secure jobs in the next decade," noted Gabriel.