Current climate policy is a key global issue that requires urgent action to combat climate change. Current climate policy encompasses strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to climate change and coordinated global responses. From emissions reduction and international cooperation to research and development, climate policy today reflects a complex and multi-layered challenge. Concrete examples such as the EU Fit for 55 package illustrate the current efforts to achieve global climate targets. Read the latest analyses, news and more from the Table.Media editorial team here. What is climate policy? Climate policy refers to the efforts of governments and international organizations to combat climate change and mitigate its effects. This can be achieved through a variety of strategies and measures: In summary, climate policy is a complex and multi-layered field that requires a combination of regulation, incentives, research and international cooperation to effectively combat climate change and adapt to its impacts. Some examples of climate policy: EU, German and international climate policy 1. EU: Fit for 55 The EU Commission presented the Fit for 55 package in July 2021. The package comprises a series of proposals and measures designed to help reduce CO₂ emissions in Europe by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 emission levels. The European Union has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and thus making an important contribution to global climate protection. A central component of the EU Fit for 55 package is the tightening of the Emissions Trading System (ETS), which regulates the trading of CO₂ emission certificates. The EU plans to gradually increase the price of CO₂ certificates and extend emissions trading to other sectors such as transport and buildings. In addition, the member states' national climate targets are to be tightened in order to further reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Another element of the EU Fit for 55 package is the introduction of a carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which is intended to ensure that imported goods from third countries meet the same climate standards as products from Europe. The CBAM is intended to prevent companies from avoiding this by relocating their production to countries with less stringent climate protection rules. The EU Fit for 55 package is an important step towards achieving its climate targets and consolidating the EU's leading role in global climate protection. 2. international climate policy International climate policy is concerned with measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. In order to drive climate policy forward, many countries have signed the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. This is to be achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Many countries have already set national climate targets and are working on implementing measures to reduce their emissions, such as the EU Fit for 55 package. 3. loss and damage: international climate policy Loss and damage is a concept that has become increasingly important in discussions on climate change in recent years. The term refers to the negative impacts resulting from the harmful effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, sea level rise and other natural disasters. These impacts can cause significant harm to communities and individuals, such as loss of life, displacement and damage to infrastructure and property. Loss and damage is an important focus in international climate negotiations, particularly in the context of the United Nations (UN) Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This is because the impacts of climate change are often felt most by vulnerable and disadvantaged communities that have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions. 4. climate policy Germany: EU Fit for 55 Germany's climate policy is closely linked to the goals of the European Union. Germany has also set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050 and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. The EU Fit for 55 package is therefore also of great importance for Germany. The German government passed a law in 2019 that sets out a binding framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Among other things, the Climate Protection Act stipulates that Germany must reduce its emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. In order to achieve these targets, the German government has taken various measures, such as promoting renewable energies, promoting electromobility and introducing a carbon price.
Climate Action Program: Agriculture in limbo
To achieve the climate targets set for the period after 2030, more needs to be done, particularly in the agricultural sector. However, the federal government’s Climate Action Program leaves many questions unanswered regarding how emissions can be effectively reduced.
By Cornelia Meyer