At the UN Climate Conference in Baku, Jennifer Morgan, Germany's envoy for international climate policy, urged a swift move away from fossil fuels. Speaking on behalf of the ailing Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, Morgan emphasized the necessity of fulfilling climate commitments, including tripling renewable energy and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Germany aims to be climate neutral by 2050, a commitment Morgan reiterated, highlighting that this generation could be the first to achieve prosperity without harming the climate.
Morgan pointed to Germany's successes, such as decommissioning 16 coal plants this year alone and reducing gas demand. Renewables now constitute nearly 60% of the country's energy consumption. She warned against the risks of investing in fossil fuels, labeling them potential misinvestments. Morgan stressed the importance of shared responsibility in climate financing, urging other economically strong nations to contribute alongside Germany.
The conference focused on establishing a new global framework for climate financing post-2025. While traditional industrial nations have committed $100 billion annually to support developing countries, there are calls to raise this to $1.3 trillion. Germany and its allies advocate for increased contributions from emerging economies and innovative financial mechanisms, such as levies on fossil fuel profits and transportation sectors.
Globally, the transition from coal is gaining momentum. A coalition of 25 countries, including Germany and the UK, has agreed to cease building new coal plants, aiming to align with the 1.5-degree target. However, major coal consumers like China and India remain outside this agreement. Despite progress, the climate protection ranking shows that fossil fuel reliance persists, emphasizing the need for continued action to meet international climate goals.
