Information for decision makers

Corporate Accountability | 05.09.2022

An Examination of Industry Standards in the Raw Materials Sector

Voluntary standards and other industry initiatives for the extraction of raw materials have established themselves increasingly in recent years as an instrument with which companies can implement their due diligence obligations. Yet, the existing standards are marked by a series of systematic, content-related and methodological shortcomings. This paper provides a first assessment of the methodological robustness of the various standards in the raw materials sector.

Report | 29.06.2022

EU Ministers restrict the proposal for a deforestation free law – blocking supply chains without ecosystem destruction and human rights violation

The expansion of agricultural land for the production of animal feed or palm oil is the biggest driver of loss and degradation of forests and other natural ecosystems worldwide. The EU’s demand for these so-called forest and ecosystem risk commodities plays a significant part in global deforestation linked to international trade.

UN climate conferences | 17.06.2022

Creating an Inclusive and Ambitious Climate Alliance Instead of an Exclusive Climate Club

One of the most prominent projects launched by Germany during its G7 presidency has been the initiation of an international “climate club”. The push for an international climate alliance has come at the right time: A properly designed climate alliance can make an important contribution to global emissions reduction and climate justice, accelerate industrial transformation around the world, and create conditions for fair competition. In the worst case, however, the existence of a climate alliance can have the opposite of its intended effect; for example, if it is seen as an exclusive project of the West.

Cover: Analysis National Development Banks and the Climate Crisis

UN climate conferences | 18.05.2022

Where to flow or not to flow to? The G7 should set the tone on export and development finance

At the forthcoming G7 Ministerials this week and next, Germany should push for stronger joint efforts to exit international fossil fuel financing. Considering the latest IPCC findings and the urgent need to stop investment in coal, oil and gas, the financial activities of public finance institutions (PFIs) play an important role to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. This paper analyses the alignment of German and Korean PFIs’ climate and sector strategies with the Paris Agreement and makes recommendations on how their strategies can align with a 1.5°C goal.

Report | 11.05.2022

An effective EU supply chain law? Germanwatch and more than 200 other organisations clarify what this means in practice

On 23 February 2022, the EU Commission published its long-awaited proposal for an EU supply chain law. The European Parliament and the EU Council – including a number of German government representatives – are now discussing the draft law. Together with more than 220 civil society organisations from Europe and the rest of the world, Germanwatch clarified which changes the Commission's proposal needs from the perspective of civil society.

Report | 27.04.2022

Open letter to the legislators in the EU: The universal right to freely choose operating systems, software and services

The European Union is in the process of redefining the ecodesign criteria for products in several legislative proposals. Together with 37 European organisations and companies, Germanwatch publishes an open letter calling on legislators in the EU to make use of the historic chance by introducing the universal right to install any software on any device, including full access to hardware.

Blogpost | 31.03.2022

An umbrella with holes? The proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and its potential impact on deforestation

The EU Commission has recently presented a proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence. The aim of this Directive is to integrate international standards into European law and prevent negative consequences of global business activities. Can the law contribute to ending deforestation in transnational supply chains?

Report | 03.03.2022

Joint Declaration from French and German NGOs on the reform of the EU Fiscal Rules

The Stability and Growth Pact is unfit to deal with the climate and biodiversity crisis and to deliver the European Green Deal. It does not take into account the risks and the impacts of climate change, and they do not promote investments in favour of the green and just transition, as they only focus on economic growth. The European fiscal and budgetary rules must be adjusted. For that, a Green Golden Rule securing green spending and incentivising Member States to invest heavily in the green transition must find a way into the fiscal and budgetary rules.

International climate co-operation Sustainable Finance | 21.02.2022

G7 in 2022: Five areas for advancing climate finance

The leading industrialised countries have a particular responsibility to address the climate crisis – but they failed to meet their former commitments. The German G7 presidency now offers the opportunity to take important steps towards a new paradigm for climate finance. Against that backdrop, this policy brief formulates five key asks to the G7 governments.

| 17.02.2022

Assessing policy approaches to halt deforestation in EU agricultural supply chains

In this publication, we have analysed, compared and evaluated five different approaches to halt deforestation in EU supply chains. To identify the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of each approach, we have conducted expert interviews as well as an extensive literature review.

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Information for decision makers

An Examination of Industry Standards in the Raw Materials Sector

EU Ministers restrict the proposal for a deforestation free law – blocking supply chains without ecosystem destruction and human rights violation

Creating an Inclusive and Ambitious Climate Alliance Instead of an Exclusive Climate Club

Where to flow or not to flow to? The G7 should set the tone on export and development finance

An effective EU supply chain law? Germanwatch and more than 200 other organisations clarify what this means in practice

Open letter to the legislators in the EU: The universal right to freely choose operating systems, software and services

An umbrella with holes? The proposal for a Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and its potential impact on deforestation

Joint Declaration from French and German NGOs on the reform of the EU Fiscal Rules

G7 in 2022: Five areas for advancing climate finance

Assessing policy approaches to halt deforestation in EU agricultural supply chains

Contact persons

Christoph Bals