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Climate protection costs money: the industrialized nations shouldn’t forget that

World Earth Day: Climate protection costs money: industrial nations shouldn’t forget that

Sunday, April 18, 2021, 1:28 pm

The climate crisis is the central challenge of our time. Even if the tasks to avert climate change seem overwhelming: Every contribution counts – no matter how small.

It is correct: time is of the essence. For the next ten years, Germany has promised to cut greenhouse gas emissions by more than half in order to make its contribution to global climate protection. Over 70 countries have made their commitments for the World Climate Conference in Glasgow in November. In all probability, however, the efforts of the international community will not be sufficient to halve global CO2 emissions by 2030 and thus limit global warming to the target of 1.5 degrees.

When it comes to climate protection, the economy comes first

The good news, however, is that business and science, citizens’ initiatives and private individuals around the world have long since made an effort to make an additional contribution. The development of green fuels and heating fuels, more efficient production systems, climate-optimized distribution channels, the return of residues into the production cycle and research into CO2 storage are just a few examples of how industry can avoid or reduce climate-damaging greenhouse gases on a large scale. Time is running out for countable results.

World Earth Day

Climate protection is a question of human survival and affects us all. Not only in Germany, but also global development is crucial. We give the topic the visibility it deserves!

On April 22nd, on the occasion of World Earth Day, we will create a platform for one day on FOCUS Online with a wide variety of content on everything to do with development, sustainability and climate protection.

Together we produce sustainable cosmetics, visit Peter Maffay on his farm, cook with food, talk to Sara Nuru, Hannes Jaenicke and Nina Ruge and discuss climate and marine protection in live talks with, among others, Minister Gerd Müller, Boris Herrmann and Sven Plöger .

Be there – and make climate protection and sustainability your topic too!


When it comes to climate protection, the economy is one of the top priorities, because the 20 largest industrialized countries emit around 80 percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. Many companies therefore want to take their responsibility seriously and become climate neutral as quickly as possible.

Climate protection is particularly effective in developing and emerging countries: You can directly benefit from the advances in renewable energies without first building power plants for fossil fuels. In addition, huge green spaces and coastal regions in the southern hemisphere offer the opportunity to continue to serve as CO2 stores. An example: if the deforestation of forests around the world were to be stopped immediately, the area that was not deforested would contribute six gigatons of CO2 to climate protection every year. That corresponds to the avoidance of more than 14 percent of global emissions.

Climate protection costs money and industrialized nations have historical responsibility

A green development path, however, costs money, and the developing and emerging countries cannot raise the necessary resources on their own. Here it is important to take on the responsibility that has grown over time. The Alliance for Development and Climate Foundation offers companies, institutions and private individuals a platform that enables them to invest in sustainable projects and thereby improve their own carbon footprint.

And there are numerous projects that are encouraging: In the Peruvian Amazon basin, around 100,000 hectares of forest are being protected from illegal deforestation through effective monitoring in cooperation with the local population. In Kenya, the use of efficient cooking stoves in Maasai communities reduces the use of firewood and the risk of smoke-related health problems. All in all, supporters of the alliance support hundreds of projects by more than 25 compensation partners and last year offset the total amount of 3.6 million tons of CO2.

So there are many ways to protect the climate and there is no reason to resign. Whether we start with ourselves and use a CO2 calculator to find out where we can still save in the household or help people in developing and emerging countries with climate protection: every contribution counts!

About the guest authors: Peter Renner is Chairman of the Board of the Allianz Foundation for Development and Climate. He has worked in technical assistance, economic cooperation and development cooperation for 30 years, including 20 years in management positions in various non-governmental organizations. His tasks have taken him to Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Africa, among others.

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