China, Germany, USA – Who is the greatest sinner?

Germany should be climate neutral by 2045. But how well does the country perform internationally with its goals? Despite the new goals, researchers will not classify the Federal Republic as a role model.

The federal finance minister said this was no less than a central question about the future of Germany Olaf Scholes (S.P.D.) At the presentation of New Climate Goals last week. Now these have been passed by the Union Cabinet.

Five years earlier than previously planned Germany wants climate to be neutral: instead of 2050, the new target is 2045. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions in Germany are set to be reduced by 65 percent. “No one can back down,” the environment minister said Svenja Schulz “Morganmacasin” in ARD.

Is Germany’s climate protection goal ambitious?

But how does Germany really make its new seats in international comparison?

In absolute terms it is China The biggest climate driver ever. Behind it United States, India and Russia. Germany comes in eighth. There are big differences in future aspirations, especially to achieve the 1.5 degree target of the Paris Climate Agreement. Both countries are surprised at the analysis of the climate objectives of the Climate Action Tracker (GATE) program presented by the New Climate Institute.

China (“not enough”)

China has it Paris Climate Agreement Signed and associated goals A Sent (UNCCR). However, these are unclear. Before 2030, the People’s Republic wants to peak CO2Emissions and before 2060 China wants climate to be neutral. However, according to Kate, it is not clear whether this refers only to CO2 emissions or to all greenhouse gases together.

Even after the Virtual Climate Conference, the US President Joe Biden A few weeks ago, the President of China left it alone Xi Jinping With the previous strategy. “It is disappointing that China is so focused on its continued reliance on coal and oil and gas,” said Bill Hare, chief executive of Climate Analysis.

United States (“not critical enough”)

Under President Joe Biden, the United States set new climate goals. By 2030, the US president wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent compared to 2005. This is a definite change from the era Donald Trump. “I am very pleased to see the United States return to climate change,” he said Angela Merkel.

(Quell: Climate Action Tracker)

But the United States is currently at the bottom of the climate index and is considered “not serious enough” in the fight against it Climate crisis Designated. According to the New Climate Institute, even their new goal will not be enough to keep the world at 1.5 degrees Global warming To control it, it would require a reduction of 57 to 63 percent. America still needs to catch up, especially in the transportation sector. By 2030, all cars sold must be electric or hydrogen dependent.

Germany (“not enough”)

Germany, the former model country, is far behind the announced target of the Paris climate agreement. The new climate protection law will change that and bring Germany to climate neutrality. “This is an ambitious climate protection goal, but it is also possible,” said Federal Reserve Minister Scholes. Greenhouse gas emissions will be gradually reduced compared to the 1990s. It should be at least 65 percent by 2030 and at least 88 percent by 2040.

(Quell: Climate Action Tracker)

This will significantly improve Germany, but by Gate 2030 it will be slightly lower than the required index of greenhouse gases, which is 69 percent lower. But the new objectives are only the conditions of the framework; Private ministries need to make sure they are actually implemented. In addition, forests and moorings have been added as a CO2 reducing factor. Friday’s verdict for future activist Carla Reimsma is “a lot better arithmetic” and “half-baked projects”.

Morocco (“1.5 ° C Paris Agreement compliant”)

The only two countries currently operating under the Paris Climate Agreement are Gambia and Morocco at CAT. With wind and solar power plants such as Overseasate, one of the world’s largest companies, Morocco wants to generate half of its electricity from renewable energy by 2030. At present, however, the Kingdom is dependent on coal-fired power plants and imports. Morocco benefits as individual emissions are historically low.

Solar Power Station in Morocco: The Kingdom wants to increase the production of renewable energy. (Source: Xinhua / Image Image)

Ambitious Sweden

Not all countries are currently listed separately on the Climate Action Tracker. However, New Climate and the NGO German Watch have been publishing the climate index for many years. Gets global number one here Sweden One, before England and Denmark. “Sweden has always been a country, ” we need to become more ambitious, ” says researcher Mary-Jean Kurtzel” Focus “from the New Climate Institute. Germany is ranked 19th. Are empty.

Nevertheless, the argument that “we do something, but not others” no longer applies, says Nicholas Hone, president of New Climate for Deutsche Valley.

Are Chinese citizens bigger climate drivers than Germans?

However, two aspects of such comparisons are quickly forgotten: how large an influence can be compared Climate change For a country, it is necessary to take into account the number of people living in a country. China has significantly more citizens than the entire European Union. According to the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDJAR), Germany has more individual CO2 emissions than China, but just over 8 tonnes, both with 15 tonnes behind the United States.

In addition, countries are not solely responsible for their emissions. China is often referred to as the “maid of the world”. Production facilities, meanwhile, have shifted from Europe to Asia. This means that CO2 emissions also go abroad. So if one Auto Made in China, but purchased in Germany, which has a negative impact on China’s carbon footprint.

For example, the Pacific island nation of Palau, with its 19,000 inhabitants, consumes 60 tons of CO2 each. But the islanders themselves are not the real problem. About one lakh tourists visit the islands every year – by ships and planes.

“Europe’s Man-Moon Moment”

So scientists who have published a study on CO2 emissions in retail in the journal “Natural Climate Change” conclude that “as an investor the country born should take more responsibility in reducing carbon emissions”.

With the new law, the industrialized nation of Germany now wants to take on additional responsibility for climate protection. But in a few weeks the goals will have to change again. Because the EU also wants to lead the way in climate protection. “This is the man’s moon moment in Europe,” said the EU Commission President Ursula van der Leyen Said. In July, specific requirements for individual member states must be complied with, meaning that Germany will need a new climate protection law.