Beyond EVE: Organisations

German Federal Environmental Foundation

Sat, 02 Oct 2021 17:14:08 +0200

The DBU funds innovative, exemplary and solution-oriented projects for the protection of the environment, with special consideration of small and medium-sized enterprises. The funding activities focus on environmental technology and research, nature conservation, environmental communication and protection of cultural assets.

Since 1991, the DBU has funded more than 10,000 projects with € 1.84 billion. At the same time, the foundation capital (€ 1.28 billion at the beginning) was increased to around € 2.32 billion.

Funded projects should achieve sustainable effects in practice, give impulses and lead to a “multiplier effect”. It is the objective of the DBU to contribute to the solution of current environmental problems, in particular, which result from unsustainable business practices and lifestyles. The DBU sees the crucial challenges primarily in the areas of climate change, biodiversity loss, unsustainable use of natural resources, and harmful emissions. The funding topics are linked both to current scientific findings on the Planetary Boundaries and to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Board of Trustees

The DBU is chaired by the Board of Trustees whose members are appointed by the Federal Government. It is composed of federal and state politicians as well as representatives of other socially relevant groups.

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:46:53 +0200

2010 marked the 200th anniversary of the Humboldt-Universität. Numerous events from October 2009 to December 2010 honored the ideas of its founding fathers. In dialogue with the city of Berlin, the alma mater celebrated science, research and teaching, and the relevance of Humboldt’s founding principles for the present day.

During its history, the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has undergone many profound changes. The most recent reformation followed the Peaceful Revolution in East Germany in 1989. Many new outstanding professors were appointed from East and West, from Germany and from abroad.

As one of eleven German universities, the Humboldt-Universität was chosen “University of Excellence” in June 2012. It was successful in all three funding lines in the third round of the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments and awarded for its future concept “Educating Enquiring Minds: Individuality – Openness – Guidance”. In an international comparison, Humboldt- Universität ranks among the top ten of German universities. Scientists here research socially relevant topics and challenges of the future and communicate these with the public. Humboldt-Universität invests all its energy in being a place of excellent research and teaching. It’s aim is to promote young talents and to positively influence society and the economy outside the university framework.

Sustainable Development Goals within Planetary Boundaries: Utopia or Panacea?

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 20:51:43 +0200

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals present a new social contract for the world in the quest to achieve ways of living and economic well-being that no longer undermines the biological and physical life-support systems that human development depends on. Currently, we are following a very dangerous path, facing potentially irreversible and disastrous impacts, due to rising global environmental changes we have yet to arrest. To achieve the 17 SDGs by 2030 is an enormous challenge for humanity; to do so in a systemic manner - thinking climate, biosphere integrity, food security and healthy diets, and land use together - requires a transformative solution.

The Planetary Boundaries offer a framework to consider sustainable development in a way that respects the ecological resilience of the Earth while re-thinking social and economic development based on ecosphere integrity.

Planetary boundaries define the scientific targets for a stable Earth system. Businesses, countries, and communities increasingly recognize that socio-economic development in the Anthropocene - when human pressures on Earth pose rising global risks - must occur within scientifically defined boundaries, establishing a safe-operating space on Earth.

SDGs within Planetary Boundaries suggest a pathway towards a world in 2050 in which a ‘good life for all’ – humanity and non-human species – is possible.

With: Prof. Johan Rockström, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research

Michael E. Mann — The New Climate War: The Fight to Take Back Our Planet - with Bill Nye

Politics and Prose Bookstore — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 22:27:34 +0100

Recycle. Fly less. Eat less meat. These are some of the ways that we've been told can slow climate change. But the inordinate emphasis on individual behavior is the result of a marketing campaign that has succeeded in placing the responsibility for fixing climate change squarely on the shoulders of individuals.

Fossil fuel companies have followed the example of other industries deflecting blame (think "guns don't kill people, people kill people") or greenwashing (think of the beverage industry's "Crying Indian" commercials of the 1970s). Meanwhile, they've blocked efforts to regulate or price carbon emissions, run PR campaigns aimed at discrediting viable alternatives, and have abdicated their responsibility in fixing the problem they've created. The result has been disastrous for our planet.

In The New Climate War, Mann argues that all is not lost. He draws the battle lines between the people and the polluters-fossil fuel companies, right-wing plutocrats, and petrostates. And he outlines a plan for forcing our governments and corporations to wake up and make real change, including:

a common-sense, attainable approach to carbon pricing- and a revision of the well-intentioned but flawed currently proposed version of the Green New Deal;
allowing renewable energy to compete fairly against fossil fuels
debunking the false narratives and arguments that have worked their way into the climate debate and driven a wedge between even those who support climate change solutions
combatting climate doomism and despair-mongering

Michael E. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State, with joint appointments in the Department of Geosciences and the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute. In 2020 he was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. He is the author of numerous books, including Dire Predictions, Climate Wars, and The Madhouse Effect.

Bill Nye, scientist, engineer, comedian, author, and inventor, is a man with a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society, to help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something Bill has been doing most of his life.

Helmholtz Association - Earth System Knowledge Platform

Sun, 03 Jan 2021 21:21:28 +0100

ESKP (Earth System Knowledge Platform) is the knowledge platform of the Research Field Earth and Environment of the Helmholtz Association. The platform is supported by eight Helmholtz Centres:

AWI: Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research
DLR: German Aerospace Center
FZJ: Forschungszentrum Jülich
GEOMAR: GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
GFZ: Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – German Research Centre for Geosciences
HZG: Helmholtz Centre Geesthacht, Centre for Materials and Coastal Research
KIT: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
UFZ: Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research

The platform is coordinated at Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – German Research Centre for Geosciences.

The eskp.de website vividly conveys knowledge on the central topics of natural hazards, climate change, pollutants and the effects of the energy turnaround on the environment in the form of scientific articles, interviews, video clips, science GIFs, information graphics and more.

ESKP processes research findings for society. The range of expertise in the Research Area Earth and Environment allows complex topics to be examined from different perspectives and to be presented as a whole, in particular via the format of the “Themenspezial” (currently only in German). The contributions also point out open questions as an impulse back into the science community and provide action options. The aim is to improve the basis for decision-making in politics and society.

Senckenberg Society for Nature Research

Fri, 04 Dec 2020 16:13:43 +0100

To understand the natural and anthropogenic dynamic of our planet and its living world and to shape it in view of a sustainable development requires an understanding of the biological and geological processes within the earth system. Concerning - the analysis of biodiversity, its continuous changes, and their role in the earth system, - satisfying the corresponding need for knowledge in science and society, - and the application and development of relevant, top-of-the-line research methods, Senckenberg is among the world leaders. By applying and transferring our research results, and with our scientific collections as “archives of life,” we contribute to finding responsible solutions for global future challenges. The diverse synergies of our institutions create added value for science and society. We consistently continue to develop both our research as well as our transfer and communication concepts. On this basis, as a dialog partner in societal, economic and political decision-making processes we make a fundamental contribution toward shaping a sustainable future for the earth-human system. We provide the biological and geoscientific basis for these processes, thereby creating an awareness of nature’s importance for mankind. We study the breathtaking diversity and the fascinating interconnections in the inanimate and living nature of our planet to gain a deeper understanding of their functions and an awareness of their importance for humanity, allowing us to develop strategies for aiding the reconciliation of human society and nature. The research objects gathered from the natural world are deposited in scientific archives and permanently preserved for future generations. These collections serve both as a research base and a valuable cultural heritage. We communicate our findings to the scientific community as well as society in a variety of ways, e.g., in internationally visible publications, teaching at universities, in research networks, exhibitions in our museums, and in scientific lectures and conferences. We work to ensure that these results find their way into practical applications. Moreover, we are strongly committed to supporting scientific and technical training and advanced education.

Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI)

Alfred-Wegener-Institut (AWI) — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 13:27:25 +0100

As the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, the Alfred Wegener Institute is primarily active in the cold and temperate regions of the world. Working together with numerous national and international partners, we are actively involved in unravelling the complex processes at work in the “Earth System”. Our planet is undergoing fundamental climate change; the polar regions and the oceans, which play central roles in the global climate system, are in flux. How will planet Earth evolve? Do the phenomena we’re observing represent short-term fluctuations or long-term trends? Polar and marine research has always been a fascinating scientific challenge; today it is also research into the future.

Post Growth 2018 Conference

Post Growth 2018 Conference — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 14:19:11 +0100

The Post-Growth 2018 Conference is a multi-stakeholder gathering organized by ten Members of the European Parliament representing five political groups: Philippe Lamberts, Florent Marcellesi and Molly Scott-Cato (Greens/EFA), Alojz Peterle (EPP), Gerben-Jan Gerbrandy (ALDE), Marisa Matias and Helmut Scholz (GUE) and Guillaume Balas, Elly Schlein and Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D). Our key aim is to re-think future policies and discuss alternatives respecting the environment, human rights and viable economic development.

Sustainability Transformation Conference 2020

Sat, 23 Oct 2021 12:33:42 +0200

The German Environment Agency (UBA) and the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) invite you to attend a conference on “Sustainability Transformation Conference 2020: Socio-ecological transformation on the fast track – Covid-19 as catalyst of change?”.

The digital conference will focus on the transformation of the economy and society to shape a sustainable future. The event will be hosted by Svenja Schulze, German Minister of the Environment, and Dirk Messner, President of the German Environment Agency.

The agenda for the conference can be found here.

In light of the existing and expected restrictions on travel and group gatherings in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was taken to hold the conference as a virtual event. Attendees can participate in the conference through a live stream on the homepage of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety, and will have the opportunity to interact with speakers and other participants using voting tools and Q&A sessions (no installation needed). Links will be provided in the official invitation. There will be no registration and the conference will be held in English.

Gene Editing for the Climate: Biological Solutions for Curbing Greenhouse Emissions

Information Technology & Innovation foundation ITIF — Sat, 02 Jan 2021 12:12:02 +0100

Public investments in research and development that aim to cut greenhouse gas emissions to date have focused heavily on physics and chemistry. It’s time for biology to play a much bigger role. Recent breakthroughs in gene editing are unlocking vast opportunities to mitigate climate change. They range from enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis to reducing methane emissions from cows to optimizing crops for biofuel production, and much more. A broad, coordinated effort across the U.S. government, in close collaboration with agriculture, industry, international partners, and the public should move these solutions forward.

Join ITIF for a presentation of a new report on gene-edited solutions for climate change and a panel discussion on the implications of these technologies.

Speakers

David M. Hart

Senior Fellow, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Moderator

Val Giddings

Senior Fellow, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Presenter

Robert Rozansky

Former Senior Policy Analyst, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, Presenter

Pamela Ronald

Professor, Dept. of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center, UC Davis, Panelist

Scott Knight

Head of Genome Editing and Yield, Disease & Quality Research, Bayer Crop Science, Panelist

GEO BON Open Science Conference

Sat, 05 Dec 2020 22:26:47 +0100

The GEO BON Open Science Conference and All Hands Meeting 2020 will be a milestone event that will bring together all those involved and interested in the development of Biodiversity Observation Networks and Essential Biodiversity Variables, as well as their potential to support global biodiversity monitoring and conservation post 2020 Repeated, long-term observations are crucial to detect and attribute changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services, for identifying policy options and assessing their effectiveness. For the past ten years, GEO BON and its members have been developing the Biodiversity Observation Networks that underlie the acquisition and mobilization of biodiversity observations, as well as Essential Biodiversity Variables that help assess the status and trends of biodiversity across all levels of its organization, from genes to ecosystems. We are now at a pivotal time for global biodiversity conservation. A year after the Global Assessment of IPBES, progress towards the achievement of the Aichi biodiversity targets is being evaluated by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and its Parties. In parallel, discussions are on-going to design the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. All of these activities fundamentally rely and point to the need for strengthened efforts to monitor and observe the Earth’s biodiversity. With the 2020 GEO BON Open Science Conference and All Hands meeting we invite all members and interested parties to come together and present progress, achievements, and frontiers in BON and EBV development, as well as to plan and shape the future of GEO BON. The conference will also be the occasion to officially launch the outcomes of the “EBV 2020” initiative with the mobilization of EBV data products covering all EBV classes into the GEO BON portal.

For seagrass meadows the impacts could be severe

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 18:43:07 +0100

Two thirds of the earth's surface is covered by water. Oceans play an important role to us humans - they are food sources, heat stores, trade routes and one of the most important stores of carbon dioxide (CO2). In particular, seagrass meadows along the coasts absorb a lot of CO2, but this ecosystem is sensitive to the effects of climate change and could lose much of its storage function. Angela Stevenson, a postdoc in the "Marine Evolutionary Ecology" research unit at GEOMAR in Kiel, is examining the condition of seagrass meadows along the German Baltic Sea coast to find out how they can help to reduce CO2 emissions. What is special about seagrass meadows? Coastal vegetated systems, like seagrass meadows, mangrove forests and salt marshes, play an important role in the global carbon budget due to their exceptional ability to capture and store organic carbon below ground. Burial rates here are 30 to 50 fold greater than that of forests on land. In the Baltic Sea, seagrass meadows are vast. We have a total area of approximately 285 km2 of these habitats. How can one imagine seagrass meadows? Seagrasses are marine plants that live at depths of about 1 to 8 meters in German coastal waters, and slightly deeper elsewhere around the world. They have roots and root stocks, so called rhizomes, below ground, and shoots and leaves above ground. Like other plants, they need light to survive and take up CO2 during photosynthesis. It is the seagrass’ dense canopy that distinguish it from other plants in terms of enhanced carbon storage: the canopy increases particle capture from the water column and reduces water flow along the seafloor, efficiently lowering loosening up of sediments and hence protecting buried carbon. The plant’s intricate below-ground network of roots and rhizomes is not easily displaced, and their muddy sediments enhance low oxygen levels that inhibit microbial activity and thus remineralization of buried organic carbon. This process further increases longterm organic carbon burial efficiency.

Closing Lecture - Kosmos: Entangled Worlds

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:20:29 +0100

This lecture will be discussing Alexander von Humboldt’s role in the Age of Enlightenment and Discovery and how his idea of the ‘web of life’ resonates with Oceanic philosophies and complex networks, opening up new pathways to the future. With: Prof. Dame Mary Anne Salmond, University of Auckland Language: English A lecture in co-operation with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

Scientific Communication then and now

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:54:17 +0100

Humboldt was a gifted scientific communicator. His lectures inspired a wide audience and his books were bestsellers. How did scientific communication function in his day, and how does it work today? With: Sir Philip Campbell (astrophysicist), Springer Nature Guest Professor, University of Heidelberg A lecture initiated by the Klaus Tschira Foundation** and the **Holtzbrinck Publishing Group. Language: German

How Trees contribute to interdisciplinary environmental and climate Research

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:53:56 +0100

Environmental and climate information that can be precisely dated by the year can be gained from various tree ring parameters such as ring width, wood density, anatomical structures and chemical compositions. Dendrochronology thus offers a unique archive and precise tool for analysing human-environmental systems at the interface of archaeology, biology, climatology and ecology. The scientific potential and methodological limits of dendrochronology will be demonstrated, with examples from current research projects ranging from the cell to the hemisphere and from the present to the last ice age. With: Ulf Büntgen, Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, UK

Towards sustainable business and finance within the planetary boundaries. A legal approach.

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:53:32 +0100

Demands for more sustainability in corporate business transactions and on capital markets have been becoming increasingly urgent since the outbreak of the financial crisis. There is clear potential for innovation here; the law, with all its options as well as its enabling and incentive function, can and must also be used to provide a regulatory framework for the positive developments that are already emerging in the markets with regard to sustainability, and to promote them as far as possible. At the same time, law can discipline companies that disregard existing requirements in this respect more than before. Following on from the interdisciplinary approach of Alexander von Humboldt's KOSMOS lectures, the significance of "Business and Finance" for the transformation to a sustainable society will be examined from a legal perspective. With: Dr. Anne-Christin Mittwoch, Institut für Handels- und Wirtschaftsrecht, Phillipps Universität Marburg Event is in english

Navigating the Sustainability Transformation in the 21st Century

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:50:51 +0100

this conference shall provide a landmark for today’s great challenges towards sustainability. A critical and constructive debate on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be the focal point of the conference. Linking to Humboldt’s perspective on nature and humanity as web of interconnections, we target symbiosis between social, cultural, political, economical, philosophical, human, philological, engineering, natural, earth, geo, and sustainability sciences to approach this challenge. The KOSMOS Conference is intended as a platform to discuss the science of the sustainability transformation, and to interactively conceptualize a science-based framework in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Oral presentations and thematic discussions will take place in the the seven topical sessions (expert forums) below: - Publics and ethics of sustainability - Democracy, governance, and societal conflicts in a globalized world - Economies beyond unlimited growth - Limited land - a local to global perspective - Urban and rural: a necessary partnership - Water and biosphere: preconditions of survival - Climate Change: biophysical impacts and societal responses This interdisciplinarity is fundament to scientific conference formats such as expert forum, treasure quest and poster sessions. With Humboldt's famous KOSMOS lectures in mind, the conference aims to open the scientific inner circle to public and politics with cutting edge public conference formats: citizen scientist table, public lecture, bar camp. Every conference day will be opened by a keynote lecture.

Criticism and Compromise – Humboldt as Politician

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:21:08 +0100

Alexander von Humboldt was a political writer. His collected writings show how resolutely he engaged as a public intellectual in international matters – against slavery, for the emancipation of the Jews and in the presidential election campaign in the USA. They also show the limits of his commitment and the compromises he made with authoritarian governments. His testimony in both these regards is of utmost topicality today. With: Oliver Lubrich, University of Berne Language: German

A Journey to the Chimborazo, cradle of Plant Geography

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 15:31:43 +0100

We will be following in Humboldt’s footsteps to explore his groundbreaking insights into broad patterns in nature, his importance for plant geography and the relevance of his holistic procedure for solving today’s global challenges. With: Naia Morueta-Holme, University of Copenhagen Language: English

Human nonsense that disrupts the natural order – Climate Change and/or Democracy

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 15:31:43 +0100

As in few other areas of policy and politics, climate policy exposes the erosion of public trust in science and democracy. Confidence that democracies will be able to get on top of the challenges presented by climate change is dwindling, while autocratic regimes such as China are viewed as forerunners. Democracy is being held up against these views of things as the political system that is ultimately best able to deal with climate change. A close look as Humboldt’s way of doing science can create an awareness of plural perspectives on climate. Democracy is able to admit these perspectives and bring them into (conflicting) dialogue with each other. With: Patrizia Nanz, Institute for Sustainability Transformation Research Potsdam Language: German

Humboldt’s revolutionary view of the Earth – a chance for the Anthropocene

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Tue, 01 Dec 2020 15:31:43 +0100

Alexander von Humboldt was a revolutionary visionary who saw the Earth and its landscapes as a system of interconnected components in space and time. Such a way of seeing is more urgent than ever if we are to make the impending sustainability transformations we need. Humboldt’s new view of the Earth provided a pioneering “Humboldt programme for the Anthropocene”. With: Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lucht, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Language: German

KOSMOS Opening Lecture

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin — Fri, 11 Dec 2020 17:21:37 +0100

At the venue of the historical Kosmos lectures, the HU lecture series marking the 250th birthday of Alexander von Humboldt will be opened by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and climate researcher Paulo Artaxo. As an environmental physicist, Artaxo is one of South America’s most prominent scientists. He played a leading role in the 2007 IPCC Climate Change Report, for which he and his team won the Nobel Peace Prize. With: Prof. Paulo Artaxo, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil Opening by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier Language: English

Transformation is Feasable

The Club of Rome — Sat, 12 Dec 2020 21:56:36 +0100

The dual adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) together with the Paris Climate Agreement, both in 2015, represents a global turning point. We have never before had such a universal development plan for people and planet. For the first time in human history the world has agreed on a democratically adopted roadmap for humanity’s future, which aims at attaining socially inclusive and highly aspirational socio-economic development goals, within globally defined environmental targets. Humanity’s grand ambition is surely to aim at an inclusive and prosperous world development within a stable and resilient Earth system. This human quest is to attain as many of the SDGs as possible by 2030, and then continue following a sustainable global trajectory well beyond the next 12 years. This report has identified one such possible, smarter pathway to success through five transformative and synergistic actions.

The report can be downloaded here.

Authors: Sony Kapoor Managing Director re-define.org; Dr. Belay Begashaw Director SDG Center for Africa

Basic Income

Post Growth 2018 Conference — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:52:42 +0100

Chair : Guillaume Balas, MEP (S&D)

Panellists:

Dr Cemal Karakas, Policy Analyst, European Parliamentary Research Services, European Parliament
Stanislas Jourdan, Head of Positive Money Europe, Former Coordinator of the European Citizens’ Initiative for Basic Income and co-Founder of the French Movement for Basic Income
Sophie Swaton, University of Lausanne, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, Author of “Pour un revenu de transition écologique” (2018)
Jeroen Van Ranst, CSC, Youth Officer for the Flemish part of Belgium
Ludovic Voet, CSC, Youth Officer for the French-speaking part of Belgium

Beyond GDP Growth

Post Growth 2018 Conference — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 20:56:25 +0100

Chair, Helmut Scholz, MEP (GUE/NGL)

Panellists:

Efi Achtsióglou, Greek Minister of Labour
Christian Felber, Economy for the Common Good
Leida Rijnhout, SDG Watch Steering Committee
Patrick ten Brink, European Environmental Bureau, Director of EU Policy
Joost Koorte, European Commission, DG EMPL, Director General

Technology, Growth & Sustainability

Post Growth 2018 Conference — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:06:31 +0100

Chair : Florent Marcellesi, MEP (Greens/EFA)

Panellists:

Guillaume Pitron, Author of “La guerre des métaux rares”
José Bellver, Researcher at FUHEM Ecosocial, Member of the Transitions Forum and the Inclusive Economy Group
Paul Hodson, European Commission, DG ENER, Energy Efficiency Unit
Doris Schroecker, European Commission, DG Industrial Technologies, Research and Innovation, Head of Strategy Unit

Trade & Environment

Post Growth 2018 Conference — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 21:07:17 +0100

Chair : Kathleen Van Brempt, MEP (S&D)

Panellists:

Fritz Hinterberger, Founding President of Sustainable Europe Research Institute (SERI)
Olivier de Schutter, Professor at the University of Louvain (Belgium) and at SciencesPo (Paris), former UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food (2008-2014)
Patrizia Heidegger, Global Policies Director at the EEB
Luisa Santos, Business Europe

Just & In-Time Climate Policy: Four Initiatives for a Fair Transformation

Sat, 12 Dec 2020 21:06:12 +0100

Limiting global warming to well below 2°C requires the rapid decarbonization of the global economy. If this enterprise fails, we will jeopardize the life-support systems of future generations. The longer the transformation towards climate compatibility is delayed, the more severe the risks and damage will be for a growing number of people. The transformation requirements and the damage caused by climate change have an unequal temporal, geographical and social distribution – as do the respective possibilities for dealing with them. The WBGU therefore proposes a just & in-time transformation that takes into account all people affected, empowers them, holds those responsible for climate change accountable, and creates both global and national prospects for the future. The WBGU proposes that the German Federal Government should promote four exemplary initiatives of a just & in-time climate policy targeting (1) the people affected by the structural change towards climate compatibility (e.g. in coal-mining regions), (2) the legal rights of people harmed by climate change, (3) the dignified migration of people who lose their native countries due to climate change, and (4) the creation of financing instruments for just & in-time transformation processes.