Germany, China urge US to remain in climate agreement
Germany was trying 鈥渙n all levels鈥� to persuade President Donald Trump and his administration to stay in the Paris Climate Agreement, said environment minister Barbara Hendricks at a press conference at the opening of the 8th Petersberg Climate Dialogue, held 22 鈥� 23 May in Berlin.
However, there would be 鈥渘o domino effect鈥� should the US , because the rest of the world was 鈥渃learly committed鈥� to the landmark pact, according to Hendricks. She also pointed to the 鈥渇undamental importance鈥� of China鈥檚 commitment and said the country had become a strong leader in international climate policy.
US President Trump had promised during his election . But since taking office, his administration lacks a clear position on climate.
China's Special Representative on Climate Change, Xie Zhenhua, who joined the German minister for the press conference, said that 鈥渘o country, no people鈥� could stop the global trend towards climate protection. He pointed out that China鈥檚 鈥渁mbitions regarding climate remained unchanged鈥�, independent of US policy decisions.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI), NGO Germanwatch and Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC) said in a joint press release G20 countries must promote climate protection and the implementation of the Paris Agreement.聽 The meeting in Berlin on Monday and Tuesday should provide the necessary tailwind for the G20 summit in Hamburg in July, they said. BDI deputy managing director Holger L枚sch called on G20 governments to lay the groundwork for the introduction of a CO鈧� price at the Hamburg summit.
Continuing uncertainty about the US administration鈥檚 climate policy has hardened the resolve of to the Paris Agreement, but also prompted questions of future leadership in case Trump decides to drop out.
, which is , is seen as a likely contender to take on international climate leadership. 聽
Environment minister Hendricks said Germany wanted to use its G20 presidency to work for the implementation of the Paris Agreement. 鈥淲hether we succeed depends on how the US positions itself,鈥� said Hendricks.
G20 Action Plan on Climate and Energy for Growth
The fate of the 鈥楪20 Action Plan on Climate and Energy for Growth鈥� underlines the problems caused by uncertainty over the US stance.
At the beginning of the year, the environment ministry had said that Germany was determined to adopt such a plan at the G20 meeting in Hamburg, and to include key provisions in the final summit communiqu茅 [find an earlier draft of the plan ].
But according to , the latest version is 鈥渘o breakthrough鈥� on contentious climate topics, but rather a minimal consensus: G20 countries would commit to the Paris Agreement, to energy efficiency, and supporting renewable energies.
In a footnote on the first page of the latest version, seen by 威力彩玩法, it states: 鈥淭he United States is currently in the process of reviewing many of its policies related to climate change and continues to reserve its position on this document and its contents.鈥�
The latest version already is a compromise compared to the original paper for discussion introduced by the German government. It omits any mention of 鈥渉uman induced鈥� climate change, and no longer contains the target of transforming energy systems to sustainable low greenhouse gas emission systems by mid-century.
While observers close to the G20 process say the US delegation has been cooperative in creating the plan, the whole document still hinges on the final decision of the US government on climate policy. Because there is no G20 energy minister meeting to settle the issue, German Chancellor Angela Merkel herself could be the last one to ensure a joint statement and document.
The Petersberg Climate Dialogue gives countries the opportunity to informally exchange experiences on international climate policy. This year, about 35 participating governments will discuss the November UN Climate Conference in Bonn, the implementation of the Paris Agreement and national climate strategies, said environment minister Hendricks. The second day of the conference will see German Chancellor Angela Merkel take to the podium for a keynote speech.
