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UN climate conferences International climate co-operation Indices | 8. December 2023

The Climate Change Performance Index 2024: Background and Methodology

The Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) compares 63 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 countries analysed. This brochure explains the background and methodology of the CCPI.

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UN climate conferences International climate co-operation Indices | 8. December 2023

The Climate Change Performance Index 2024: Results

Published annually since 2005, the Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) is an independent monitoring tool for tracking the climate protection performance of 63 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.

Report | 04.12.2023

Empathy, human rights and international law – united for the future

Germanwatch is an association that supports the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and related global goals on the basis of democracy and human rights. As such, it does not wish to remain silent on the terror and war taking place in the Middle East, which is, after all, not so far away from where the UN’s climate summit is taking place.

Climat policy in a globalised world

International climate co-operation Background Paper | 29.11.2023

Climate policy in a polarised world

We take a look at the geopolitical situation providing the frame for the UN climate talks COP28 in Dubai and identify the most important topics for the negotiations. We also outline what we expect COP28 to deliver, in terms of decisions that mitigate climate change, build resilience and provide finance for the people who need it.

Cover Publikation Adressing Loss and Damage from Slow-Onset Processes

Dealing with the impacts of climate change Factsheet | 28.11.2023

Adressing Loss and Damage from Slow-Onset Processes

Slow-onset processes like sea level rise or desertification substantially impact people’s lives, but is still often neglected in the climate change context. Three studies conducted by Germanwatch and ENDA in 2021 have responded to these challenges. This fact sheet summarises key findings of the studies, based on recent policy developments and scientific findings. We have included key facts and figures to answer important questions, such as: What are slow-onset processes? What losses and damages do slow-onset processes cause? What approaches and measures are there to address loss and damage due to slow-onset processes?

Kleinbauer Saúl Luciano Lliuya

Report | 24.11.2023

8 years of climate lawsuit against RWE

Today, eight years ago, the Peruvian mountain guide and small farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya filed his civil lawsuit against RWE at the regional court in Essen in Germany. What began back then has now become one of the world's most recognised precedents for the question of whether individual major emitters must pay for protection against climate risks.

Klimaaußenpolitik für Sicherheit, Wohlstand und Gerechtigkeit

Deutsche Klimapolitik und Energiewende Hintergrundpapier | 27. October 2023

Klimaaußenpolitik für Sicherheit, Wohlstand und Gerechtigkeit

Die fortschreitende Klimakrise wird zur existenziellen Bedrohung. Ihr muss die deutsche Klimaaußenpolitik entschieden entgegentreten. Diese Außenpolitik sollte Sicherheit herstellen, die Menschenrechte wahren sowie den Wohlstand Deutschlands, der EU und der Partnerländer garantieren. Wenn Deutschland einen angemessenen Beitrag zum Erreichen der Pariser Klimaziele und der UN-Nachhaltigkeitsziele (SDGs) leisten will, ist aber ein strategischer Neustart unabdingbar – unter Einbeziehung aller relevanten Ministerien.

ExCom Meeting #19

International climate co-operation Dealing with the impacts of climate change | 13. November 2023

ExCom Meeting #19

The ExCom #19 took place in anticipation of the fourth meeting of the Transitional Committee, a body providing recommendations for the Loss and Damage Fund established at COP27. This report focuses on the collaboration of ExCom and the Adaption Fund, as insights from existing funds are crucial for the design of the Loss and Damage Fund.

UN Headquarters Geneva

UN climate conferences Dealing with the impacts of climate change Blog post | 02.11.2023

Why the success of COP28 depends on the fund for loss and damage

The climate crisis continues to intensify worldwide. However, the main culprits of the climate crisis have so far shown a lack of financial support for dealing with loss and damage. The decision to set up a loss and damage fund at COP27 was a historic milestone after several developed countries had blocked it for many years. At COP28 in Dubai, the fund must now be made operable and filled adequately.

Saleemul Huq

Report | 02.11.2023

The world loses a great champion of climate justice

We at Germanwatch are grateful to Saleemul for the initiatives and memories we shared, learning from each other and him, and his commitment to a more climate-friendly world. The memory of him will give us additional energy to stand up for the concerns of those particularly affected by climate change, even in times of multiple geopolitical crises, and to advocate for key building blocks of climate justice such as Loss and Damage and the 1.5°C limit. Thank you, Saleem!

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Corporate Accountability | 2. November 2023

Planetary Boundaries for Business

In this brief, BUND and Germanwatch examine cases of environmental degradation in value chains of European companies, for example impacts of land use, pesticides, or gas and oil operations. We also provide analyses of how proposals for the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive cover these impacts and highlight the pivotal role of the European Parliament in this matter.

Report | 26.10.2023

VENRO-Statement on Germany's National Circular Economy Strategy

Global consumption of raw materials at this point is not sustainable for the Earth. Germany consumes an above-average of resources compared to other countries. If they were to consume as much as Germany, it would take three Earths to satisfy global demand. We therefore welcome the German government’s initiative of a National Circular Economy Strategy to reduce raw materials demand, but press for adverse effects for the Global South to be addressed.

Hafenkräne im Halbdunkeln

Climate finance Global trade Blog post | 26.10.2023

Germany's new export credit guidelines to boost clean energy investment

Germany’s Ministry for Economic Affairs has announced new climate related sector guidelines for export credit guarantees and investment guarantees that would prevent support for almost all new fossil fuel projects from 1 November onwards. A limited number of gas projects may still receive support if they fulfil national security requirements or prove they can aid short term supply shortages, which is unlikely to be the case. Third countries are concerned about the potential drop in investment; this should be addressed by investing the billions now saved from servicing fossil fuel projects in clean energy instead.

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International climate co-operation | 24. October 2023

True Partnerships with India for a just transition

India’s transition towards a low-carbon economy is central to achieving global climate goals. How can international cooperation support Indian efforts? In our policy brief, we argue that “True Partnerships” between India and the Global North should put the poeple, equity, and climate action at the core of cooperation, to achieve a transition that is green and just.

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EU climate policy and carbon pricing Industrial transformation | 17. October 2023

Policies for a sustainable hydrogen economy in Europe

While green hydrogen will play a vital role in decarbonising our economy, it is not the primary solution for emissions reduction. Instead, energy efficiency and savings, renewable electricity expansion, and direct electrification are the top three approaches for reducing emissions. However, green hydrogen becomes essential in certain applications such as steelmaking and other industrial processes, as well as for long-distance aviation and shipping, and it can be beneficial in seasonal energy storage. This policy brief spells out principles that should guide the development of a regulatory framework to advance a green hydrogen economy in Europe.

Cover Discussion Paper MDBs’ partnerships with international climate funds

Climate finance Discussion Paper | 12. October 2023

MDBs’ partnerships with international climate funds

The international climate finance architecture is a complex landscape in which multilateral development banks (MDBs) play a prominent role.

Report | 12.10.2023

Germanwatch strongly condemns the recent series of arrests of climate, energy, and environmental activists and experts in Vietnam

As an independent development, environmental, and human rights organisation engaged for sustainable global development, Germanwatch strongly condemns the recent series of arrests of climate, energy, and environmental activists and experts in Vietnam. The shrinking civil society space is concerning not only for the people involved in the organisations but also poses a threat our collective efforts towards a climate-resilient and sustainable future.

Pressemitteilung

EU climate policy and carbon pricing Press Release | 29.09.2023

Launch of EU carbon tariff can advance climate policy worldwide

Germanwatch welcomes the launch of the pilot phase of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) this Sunday as a major milestone in European climate policy. Christoph Bals, Policy Director of Germanwatch, says: "With the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the EU has achieved a coup: By levelling the international playing field for industrial companies, it enables high carbon prices in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme ETS and thus sends an important signal that it is serious about its industry’s transition to climate-neutrality. The CBAM also creates an incentive for EU's trading partner economies worldwide to speed up their transformation."

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Report | 28.09.2023

Sector Dialogue Automotive Industry: Germanwatch participates in the publication of the Cross-country recommendations for responsible lithium mining and recommended actions, but criticises their limitations

Lithium mining poses numerous environmental and human rights risks. As part of the Sector Dialogue Automotive Industry, Germanwatch therefore collaborated with stakeholders from industry and politics in the development of “cross-country recommendations for responsible lithium mining and recommended actions” in the “Lithium Project Group”. The paper identifies four risk areas and makes recommendations on how they can be addressed by the companies in the supply chain that mine and purchase lithium. Germanwatch supports the recommendations. However, we do see some key gaps in achieving a globally sustainable and equitable economy within planetary boundaries.

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EU climate policy and carbon pricing Industrial transformation Study | 13. September 2023

Renewable Hydrogen in Germany, Poland, and Portugal

Hydrogen has caught significant attention from a wide range of stakeholders in EU Member States. Its potential remains largely untapped as, to date, European national hydrogen strategies typically do not feature sound sectoral targets for the use of hydrogen. The EUKI project 'Greening H2' commissioned a study from Bruegel, a Brussels-based think tank, which investigates the potential for and implications of renewable hydrogen deployment in Germany, Portugal, and Poland. It explores their respective national strategies, summarises core elements, and critically evaluates and places them in the broader EU hydrogen plans.