IPCC adopts assessment report
Today the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented the summary of its assessment report on all areas of climate science. Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks and Federal Research Minister Johanna Wanka believe that Germany has a key role to play in combating climate change. They noted that Germany is a global leader as a “climate action laboratory” in the field of researching and developing principles, strategies and solutions. In addition, with the transformation of its energy system, the Energiewende, Germany is also a practical example of the application of technologies that can advance climate action worldwide.
Federal Environment Minister Hendricks: “The report is both alarming and encouraging. The dramatic impacts of climate change are alarming, and there can no longer be any serious doubt about what is causing these impacts. What is encouraging is that we do have the tools to limit global warming to two degrees Celsius. By the middle of this century, the global energy supply has to be almost climate-neutral. With our Energiewende we are contributing key technologies and experience to this. Germany can play an important role internationally by demonstrating that climate action works in an industrialised country. This is why it is so important that we achieve our national target of a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared with 1990. The international community must now do every in its power to adopt an ambitious climate agreement in Paris in 2015. Further delay would be irresponsible. The EU has just set itself an ambitious climate target of at least 40 percent by 2030. It is now important for other major countries to play their part.”
Federal Research Minister Wanka: “The IPCC report enhances our awareness that we can use research to positively influence our climate. The development of power-saving LED lights is a good example. The German government supports the scientific sector, promoting the development of sustainable technologies in a targeted way.” Minister Wanka also highlighted vending and service machine technology as a further example. The use of vending and service machines is rising rapidly worldwide. In 2008 there were around 2 million in Germany alone with an annual energy consumption of around 1600 gigawatt-hours, equivalent to almost 1 million tonnes in CO2 emissions. With the help of the Federal Research Ministry it was possible to develop a new technology that saves around 50 percent of electrical energy for ticket machines alone. “We will not be able to transform our energy system without research. We have to uncover and exploit further potential for energy-saving. We are currently pooling nationwide research capacities and focusing them on this transformation process. One particular focus is making more efficient use of CO2 as a raw material and source of energy. However, we need more environmentally friendly innovations worldwide. The IPCC report is therefore a signal to international research policy to offer greater support to climate-friendly technologies”, Minister Wanka commented.
The synthesis report presented in Copenhagen today is the fourth and final part of the 5th assessment report presented by the IPCC since autumn 2013. The first three parts of the report addressed the physical science basis of climate change, its impacts and adaptation, and climate change mitigation. The fourth part brings together the first three parts and offers an integrated review of the key findings. Since 2010 more than three thousand experts from more than 70 countries have been working on the report, including over 100 experts from Germany.
The report confirms that the climate is changing and that this is primarily due to human influences. The impacts of climate change can already be felt, particularly in the continents’ and oceans’ natural systems, but also in socio-economic systems. It is still possible to limit global warming to 2 degrees Celsius in the coming decades through resolute and swift climate action, in doing so reducing the risks of climate change for the long term. This requires a comprehensive transformation of our economies and society. However, it will not be possible to avoid all damage. Adaptation to climate change is necessary in any case. Delayed action would increase the risks and costs of climate change and counter measures.