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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!

Titelseite der Publikation

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.

Titelbild für Publikationen

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 | 12.10.2023

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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Industrial transformation EU climate policy and carbon pricing 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.

Erste Seite

Dealing with the impacts of climate change | 30. August 2023

Supporting the establishment of the National Mechanism on Loss & Damage in Bangladesh

Climate change-related loss and damage (L&D) is already a lived reality for people around the world, threatening their fundamental human rights and trapping them in poverty. Comprehensive mechanisms are urgently needed to help them recover from extreme events, build new livelihoods, and proactively respond to slow-onset processes. Bangladesh is planning to establish such a comprehensive National Mechanism on Loss and Damage through a two-year pilot project. From 2023 to 2026, ADAMS, ICCCAD and Germanwatch are jointly implementing a multi-actor partnership project to "Support the establishment of the National Mechanism on Loss & Damage in Bangladesh". In this project flyer, you will find information on the project background, objectives, activities, and project partners.

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Position Paper | 29. August 2023

Shaping a circular future

Design plays a crucial role in determining the circularity of a product, including factors such as repairability, recyclability, or the potential for refurbishment and remanufacturing. The Ecodesign for Sustainable Product Regulation (ESPR) establishes a new framework for setting ecodesign requirements for products and is therefore crucial to enable a circular economy. At present, the EU Commission, the Council and the European Parliament are negotiating the ESPR in the so-called trilogue. In this policy brief, we highlight five key issues that need to be considered to make the final version of the Regulation as effective as possible and to promote more durable and circular products.

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Corporate Accountability Position Paper | 29. August 2023

Effective Grievance Mechanisms in European Due Diligence Legislation

Fatal accidents, environmental disasters, and serious human rights abuses have occurred repeatedly in the global value chains of many companies. It is therefore imperative to ensure that those affected have the means to seek redress, thereby mitigating the risks associated with human rights violations and environmental degradation. One potential avenue for remedy is through non-state-based operational grievance mechanisms, which can exist either at the corporate level or as independent entities. This policy brief examines the role of operational grievance mechanisms in the ongoing negotiations of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

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International climate co-operation | 21. August 2023

Unlocking 100% renewable electricity in Africa and elsewhere

Transitioning to and establishing electricity systems based on 100% renewable energy sources is a crucial step towards limiting global emissions. Co-authored with the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, our fact sheet provides an overview of the components needed to build such a system.

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Global trade Position Paper | 15. May 2023

Sustainability due diligence obligations for financial institutions

In our new policy brief, we analyse along with Climate & Company and Rechtsanwälte Günther why sustainability due diligence obligations for financial institutions are key to achieving the EU's climate goals. As an example for this tool, we draw on due diligence obligations for financial institutions to avoid financing projects that cause deforestation. In addition, the policy brief presents specific recommendations for regulating financial actors through the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD).

First page of the policy brief

EU climate policy and carbon pricing Position Paper | 15. July 2023

Advancing the EU's Climate and Energy Diplomacy

As of July, Spain holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Spanish Presidency has identified four priorities to focus on during its term. In our policy brief, we highlight specific areas of action within these priorities for the Spanish Presidency to make progress on climate and energy diplomacy.

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Climate finance | 13. July 2023

Operationalising the Loss and Damage Fund

The 27th UN Climate Conference (COP27) concluded with the groundbreaking agreement to establish a new loss and damage (L&D) fund. This significant development aims to enable vulnerable countries to respond to and recover from climate impacts. The report emphasises that the design and operation of the L&D fund will be significantly influenced by its intended scope. With diverse opinions among stakeholders on the fund's optimal design, the selection process for these recommendations is of paramount importance.