Information for decision makers

Titelseite Publikation

International climate co-operation Sustainable Finance | 21.01.2022

The German G7 Presidency: Ready to lead on climate?

Just weeks after the new coalition government took office, Germany took over the Presidency of the G7. The G7 Presidency provides the new federal government an opportunity to demonstrate the importance it attaches to international climate policy and ambitious climate protection. The coalition agreement lays out the government’s course. This briefing paper identifies issues on which the new federal government is already sending strong signals, as well as opportunities and gaps.

Cover green hydrogen production in Africa

German climate policy and energy transition | 26.01.2022

Green Hydrogen production and Power-to-X products in Africa

The African continent is facing severe impacts of climate change while simultaneously struggling to address universal electricity access. This position paper analyses opportunities and risks associated with the development of green hydrogen and Power-to-X as well as the continent's readiness and trends. The paper closes with a position statement, recommending measures to minimise the risks of injustice and adverse impacts and maximise the benefits for the continent's green, socio-economic development.

Titelbild Criteria for an effective and socially just EU ETS 2

EU climate policy and carbon pricing | 20.01.2022

Criteria for an effective and socially just EU ETS 2

In July 2021, the European Commission proposed introducing an emissions trading system for transport and buildings. Does the proposal meet the requirements of effective climate action and social compatibility? Where should improvements be made? These questions are answered by the study “Criteria for an effective and socially just EU ETS 2 – Assessment of the EU Commission’s Proposal on an EU ETS for buildings & road transport (EU ETS 2)”, which was prepared by the Forum Ökologisch-Soziale Marktwirtschaft and the Forschungsstätte der Evangelischen Studiengemeinschaft on behalf of Germanwatch, Klima-Allianz Deutschland, WWF Deutschland and CAN Europe.

Titelbild 7. Monthly Briefing

Corporate Accountability Sustainable Finance | 22.12.2021

Insights into climate indicators for companies: What to report under European sustainability reporting standards

Last April, the European Commission published a new draft of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which is intended to provide companies with clarity on what and how they need to report and reduce administrative burden. The goal is to remove barriers and to leverage financing the transformation to climate neutrality. This briefing paper provides a brief overview of the ongoing processes around the CSRD and the standard-setting and then takes a first summarizing look at the new European corporate reporting standards.

Titelbild Publikation

UN climate conferences | 22.12.2021

From Glasgow to Elmau

This year’s COP results have been heavily debated. Along with the negotiations, various initiatives were launched, and these received considerable attention. Examples are an initiative to end international fossil fuel finance, a partnership with South Africa to support the country’s just transition, and a pledge to reduce methane emissions. The G7 should build on the COP’s positive dynamics and support a strategy to avoid greenwashing of the announcements, and provide alternative solutions where the COP process could not deliver.

Titelbild der Studie Environmental Responsibility Through Supply Chains

Corporate Accountability | 14.12.2021

Environmental responsibility through supply chains – what is needed from the perspective of Latin American civil society

In the context of several European legislative processes on supply chains this study emphasizes the importance of binding legislation for companies to comply with environmental aspects in addition to human rights along their supply chains.

Cover CCPI 2022 Results

UN climate conferences International climate co-operation | 09.11.2021

The Climate Change Performance Index 2022: Results

Published annually since 2005, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 60 countries and the EU. It aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables comparison of climate protection efforts and progress made by individual countries.

Cover Background and Methodology 2022

UN climate conferences International climate co-operation | 09.11.2021

The Climate Change Performance Index 2022: Background and Methodology

The Climate Change Performance Index compares 60 countries and the EU in the areas of Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Renewable Energies, Energy Use and Climate Policy, thus providing a comprehensive overview of the current efforts and progress of the coun

Climate Resilience and Pro-Poor Principles for Infrastructure Investments

UN climate conferences International climate co-operation | 01.08.2020

Climate Resilience and Pro-Poor Principles for Infrastructure Investment

At the second Finance in Common (FiC) Summit on 19 and 20 October 2021, 500 public development banks could jointly raise their ambitions to support sustainable development globally. The fastest growing development bank in the world, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), plays a crucial role for infrastructure investments in Asia where the majority of future infrastructure projects will take place. A framework report produced by Germanwatch and collaborating NGOs from Asia analyzes the AIIB’s opportunities to align with the Paris Agreement and suggests ten climate-resilient and pro-poor principles for more sustainable and socially inclusive infrastructure.

Inclusive, safe and ambitious? The Glasgow Climate Summit in times of the Corona Pandemic

UN climate conferences | 18.10.2021

Inclusive, safe and ambitious? The Glasgow Climate Summit in times of the Corona Pandemic

COP26 is often considered the most important since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015. Its context underlines the urgency: In the summer of 2021, people across the globe experienced extreme weather events and their consequences. The climate summit in Glasgow – in conjunction with the G20 summit shortly before – holds the potential to significantly accelerate climate protection efforts worldwide.

Contact persons

Christoph Bals

Policy Director