Partners in energy security and climate protection

Wind turbines at Rostock's overseas port © BMU / Thomas Härtrich
© BMU / Thomas Härtrich

Wind turbines at Rostock's overseas port © BMU / Thomas Härtrich

© BMU / Thomas Härtrich

Global environmental, climate and energy security issues can only be resolved if we act together. The Obama administration in the United States explicitly recognizes that climate change, with its potentially negative ramifications for international security and the stability of whole regions, is a global challenge. At the Durban Climate Change Conference in late 2011, the United States agreed with fellow participants to negotiate a globally binding climate change agreement by 2015 – which would see the US commit to emissions reductions under international law for the first time ever. Transatlantic cooperation needs to prove that it is meaningful on the world stage in the fight against climate change.

Alone, neither the US nor the EU can meet the challenge of climate change. If they work together, to transform their economies into systems that consume significantly less carbon, they will not only be mitigating the effects of climate change but also sending an important message about climate change to the rest of the world, as well as creating jobs. Only joint efforts can allow climate-friendly technology to reach emerging economies and developing countries.

Solar system in California
© picture-alliance/photon pictures

Solar system in California

Solar system in California

© picture-alliance/photon pictures

Climate policy and energy security are hotly debated topics in the United States, not only when measures to combat climate change domestically are under discussion but also when it comes to international climate change agreements. This makes it all the more important to have an on-going and open transatlantic dialogue on the subject. There are currently a number of forward-looking initiatives underway, along with some intensive transatlantic cooperation on climate protection and energy security, mostly at the regional and local levels.

The Transatlantic Climate Bridge

The Transatlantic Climate Bridge has been in place since autumn 2008 to help boost transatlantic cooperation on climate policy. The initiative is intended to promote exchange about political and technological possibilities for solving problems and to establish a broad basis on which to build political support for a general climate change agreement. It therefore involves conferences, lecture tours, research visits and other networking activities which enable discussion of best practice from German and European climate and energy policy.

The focus is on renewable energies, sustainable transport, energy efficiency and emissions trading.

Last updated 14.01.2013