In 2024, Spain set records in the expansion of renewable energies. Three quarters of its electricity is now CO2-free. Nevertheless, the country is suffering from heat, floods, forest fires and political polarization. And the green transformation remains uncertain because the government has not passed a budget since 2023.
By Isabel Cuesta
Turkey and Australia continue to compete for COP31, with Australia appearing to be the favorite. But a withdrawal is hardly an option for Turkey. If the two countries fail to reach an agreement, it could be Germany's turn again.
By Selin Ugurtas and Nico Beckert
US President Donald Trump's administration is dismantling the country's climate policy and focusing on increasing gas exports. The justifications for this policy, which Energy Secretary Chris Wright defends, are often based on dubious facts.
By Bernhard Pötter
The structure of Germany's 5,600 water suppliers is not prepared for climate change, says an expert commission. The sector is too fragmented and too fixated on technology, and prices are distorted. The industry disagrees.
By Kai Schöneberg
Forest conversion is to be the focus of natural climate protection in the future. In contrast, the targets for peatlands will be reduced. The climate action targets for the land sector will therefore not be met in 2030 and 2040. Whether there will be more money is uncertain.
By Kai Schöneberg and Malte Kreutzfeldt
China is known for setting low climate targets but then exceeding them. Nevertheless, many observers are disappointed with Beijing's NDC for 2035, as more would have been possible.
By Nico Beckert and Lukas Bayer
The heads of state and government were supposed to come to the Climate Summit in New York with new climate pledges. Some have delivered, although not all of them. However, the big question remains as to what outcome will be worked towards at the COP30 in Belém.
By Lukas Knigge
The EU has postponed an agreement on its interim climate targets for 2035 and 2040. Large sections of industry are warning that Europe should stay the course on climate protection – even if not everyone agrees on the level of greenhouse gas reduction targets.
By Lukas Knigge
The ten-point paper presented by Katherina Reiche, together with the monitoring report, raises questions. The specialist departments in the BMWE were hardly involved in this. At the same time, there are striking similarities to a paper by RWE and E.ON.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
On Saturday, the Chinese Haijie Shipping Company launched a seasonal Arctic trade route to Europe for the first time. China wants to become less dependent on existing routes – and at the same time shies away from large investments in the Russian Arctic section.
By Fabian Peltsch
