"Additional climate action required to achieve climate goals"
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks warned that Germany may fail to reach its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2020. "Depending on economic development, the measures adopted so far will only allow Germany to cut its emissions by 33 percent", Hendricks outlined at the 4th Berlin Climate Conference. To bridge this gap additional efforts are needed in all areas. "This is why I will launch an immediate climate action programm as there is not much time left before 2020", the Minister announced.
The immediate climate action programm will be the first component of the long-term national climate programm agreed upon in the coalition agreement. The programme will define measures geared towards ensuring that the 40 percent goal will be met. The most important fields of action will be emissions trading, energy industry, energy efficiency as well as building, urban development and transport. "As the Minister for Building I am particularly aware of the as of yet untapped potential in the building sector", Hendricks stressed.
The Minister's focus is on a host of policy measures. The spectre ranges from demand-oriented support programmes and legal requirements to advice and outreach programmes. "What is important is that stakeholders and investors need reliability. Planning and investment security are at the very core of any successful policy that can withstand the test of time", stated Minister Hendricks. Climate policy can only be successful if stakeholders at all levels and each and every consumer contribute to this goal. "Therefore we want to ensure stakeholder participation right from the beginning. At national level we intend to elaborate the respective measures based on a broad dialogue", Minister Hendricks added.