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Stiftung 2°: Companies Demand Climate Transition and Clear Framework

Companies from the energy, insurance, and logistics sectors are urging decisive action for climate neutrality and compliance with the Paris Agreement during the in-depth negotiations in Berlin.

Out of coal, into renewables: An initiative by German large enterprises calls for decisive action and a clear framework from the government. | Photo: Zukunft Erdgas/Kai Bublitz
Out of coal, into renewables: An initiative by German large enterprises calls for decisive action and a clear framework from the government. | Photo: Zukunft Erdgas/Kai Bublitz
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Johannes Reichel

At the start of the in-depth exploratory negotiations, a broad alliance of German companies from all key sectors of the economy has called for an ambitious cross-sectoral climate policy that meets the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. In their appeal, 69 companies—many of them large corporations—urge the negotiating parties to put Germany on a clear, reliable, and predictable path to climate neutrality. They demand that the new federal government launch an implementation offensive for climate neutrality within the first 100 days. According to the initiators, German companies are thus sending a clear signal for ambitious climate protection in the new legislative period.

"Climate protection was the decisive issue in the federal election and must be placed at the top of the agenda by the parties in forming a new federal government," explains Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, President of the Foundation 2°, entrepreneur, and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group.

The decade of action for climate protection has begun. The new federal government must now set the framework so that we as entrepreneurs can make climate neutrality the hallmark of the German economy, Otto further appealed.

 

Holistic Approach Needed

Among the involved companies are renowned representatives from all relevant sectors and key industries, including the basic materials and chemical industries, mechanical engineering and automotive production, financial sector as well as large companies in the fields of construction, mobility, and commerce. Together, they employ more than one million people in Germany and over five million people worldwide, generating a global revenue of about one trillion euros. In line with the holistic approach of the European Commission's Green Deal, the companies in this appeal call for the implementation initiative to include a package of concrete measures to reliably achieve the goal of climate neutrality by 2045.

Expansion of Key Technologies and Infrastructures

For the transformation to climate neutrality, the expansion of key technologies and infrastructures must be accelerated. This applies in particular to the expansion of renewable energies and the necessary power grids, climate-friendly industrial plants and transport infrastructures, as well as energy-efficient building renovations. “‘Achieving climate neutrality’ should become the motto of the new legislative period. The new federal government must act boldly and decisively on climate policy and can rely on the support of this broad corporate alliance,” demands Sabine Nallinger, CEO of the 2° Foundation and former Munich municipal politician.

“Now it is crucial to put an implementation offensive for climate neutrality at the center of government formation. A few weeks before the World Climate Conference in Glasgow and before important decisions for the EU's 'Fit for 55' package, the companies are also sending an important signal to the European and international community,” Nallinger further urges.

It is well known that climate policy must be a priority for the next federal government, said Frank Mastiaux, Chief Executive Officer of EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG.

"The necessities and problems are all known, so a clear priority must now be a binding and consistent implementation agenda," demanded the manager, who is currently advancing the energy and mobility transition in Baden-Württemberg with his company.

The next four years are crucial to create reliable framework conditions for achieving climate targets, echoed Sven Wellbrock, Chief Operating Officer Europe & Chief Safety Officer of rail and logistics company VTG AG .

"Especially in the transport sector, there is massive untapped climate protection potential that can only be realized through a consistent strengthening of rail freight transport."  

Markus Schneider, co-founder and managing director of hydrogen engine specialist Keyou, is also among the signatories.

"The new federal government should declare climate protection and the reduction of CO2 emissions the primary goal of the legislative period," demands Schneider.

However, in his view, a sole focus on electromobility makes no sense, as all technologies and innovations that serve this goal should be considered, says Schneider. As a company, they are ready to contribute to CO2-free heavy-duty transport with the development of emission-free hydrogen engines – cost-efficient and resource-conserving, he also advocates for his technology.

Translated automatically from German.
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