Germany aims for global ‘renewable energy’ target at UN climate conference

BERLIN

Germany on Tuesday called for a global “renewable energy“ target to significantly reduce emissions and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit).

Speaking at the 14th Petersberg Climate Dialogue meeting, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said all countries must step up their efforts to meet commitments under the 2015 Paris climate accord.

“The International Energy Agency estimates that we need to triple global renewable energy capacity – otherwise the planet’s temperature limit of 1.5 degrees will be significantly exceeded,” she warned.

Baerbock said during the Petersberg Climate Dialogue meeting, she wants to start a new debate on setting a global target for renewable energies and energy efficiency.

“Yes, this is something new. That’s why we’re sitting here in such a special setting. Because we don't want to describe everything we’ve already done or everything that doesn't work, but want to work over the next day and a half on what we can do more, also do something new, so that we can get on the 1.5 degrees path,” she said.

Germany is hosting the two-day climate conference, which brings together representatives from around 40 countries, to discuss concrete steps toward overcoming the climate crisis.

The conference aims at preparing the ground for successful negotiations at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in the United Arab Emirates later this year.