Everyone is eagerly awaiting the new NDCs up to 2035, but it is questionable how meaningful the targets will be. This is because the reporting rules are very general. Calculation tricks, fudged statistics and altered climate balances have long been common practice among countries and companies.
By Arne Schütte
In the coalition negotiations, the CDU/CSU is calling for projects abroad to be included in EU emissions trading. This is ruled out for the next few years, but this option is also currently being examined within the EU in order to achieve the 2040 target. There is sharp criticism from the Greens and SPD.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Hydropower is generally regarded as a clean source of energy. However, some hydropower plants could also be major emitters of the greenhouse gas methane and thus exacerbate the climate crisis. A British company wants to capture this potent greenhouse gas from hydropower plants using a new technology and make it usable for biofuels.
By Nick Nuttall
The ruling against Greenpeace in the United States is representative of a trend: Fossil fuel companies are using so-called SLAPP lawsuits to silence people and organizations committed to climate change mitigation. Anti-slapp rules such as those of the EU could help – provided they are implemented effectively.
By Alexandra Endres
With Brazil, an ambitious presidency is taking over the next COP. Although there are hardly any critical formal decisions to be made, COP President-designate André Corrêa do Lago wants to achieve a "turning point" in implementing climate targets – by reforming the system.
By Bernhard Pötter
To achieve the German and European climate targets, regulations actually need to be tightened. However, the coalition papers from the ongoing government talks contain a number of announcements to soften climate action measures.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
The CDU/CSU and SPD negotiators have formulated their joint and opposing ideas on energy and climate. They are still far apart on many critical points. However, important decisions on climate are also being made in the working group on foreign and development policy.
By Bernhard Pötter
At the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, the Brazilian presidency wants to present its plans and ideas for a successful COP30. The pressing issues are financing, NDCs, the US withdrawal and the lack of hotel beds. And the German government as host is a lame duck.
By Bernhard Pötter
The Munich Public Prosecutor General's Office has charged five climate activists from Last Generation with forming a "criminal organization." NGOs now fear a "climate of intimidation" and a "criminalization of climate activists." The new federal government must prevent climate policy from becoming a culture war.
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The Hamm Higher Regional Court in Germany will announce a decision in the lawsuit against RWE in April. For two days, the court heard complex technical details – in order to clarify one issue: How serious is the flood risk to Saúl Luciano Lliuya's house in the Peruvian city of Huaraz? The case shows how much climate lawsuits now rely on scientific findings.
By Alexandra Endres
