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International climate policy: Responsibility has changed, but joint commitment remains
Joint press statement by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Foreign Office
The German Government is reorganising international climate policy. Responsibility is being transferred from the Federal Foreign Office to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety. A new directorate-general for international climate policy, whose head was confirmed by the Cabinet today, will be established there. The Federal Foreign Office will continue to be actively involved in climate diplomacy. This includes the network of more than 50 Core Climate Embassies. Thanks to close cooperation between the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Foreign Office, and in coordination with other key departments such as the Development Ministry, Germany remains strongly positioned in the fight against the climate crisis.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stated:
The climate crisis threatens the livelihoods of many people throughout the world, leading to hunger and conflicts over resources. This has an impact on stability and security, also here in Europe. We will therefore continue to work with partner countries around the world to strengthen climate action and support adaptation – and thus also ensure greater security at home. After all, climate policy is and will remain security policy; it will thus continue to be an important task of the Federal Foreign Office.
Federal Environment Minister Schneider remarked:
German climate policy at national, European and international level is now once again being spearheaded by a single ministry. But we remain committed to working as a team. After all, international climate policy and foreign policy are inextricably linked. Climate action will only be successful if we work together effectively on a global scale. The Federal Foreign Office, with its Core Climate Embassies, plays a strong and vital role in German climate policy.
Background information:
Achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement is a task for the entire German Government. Climate and foreign-policy interests will therefore be closely dovetailed and Germany’s role as a credible partner in international climate action further strengthened. The common aim is to ensure that ministries think and act together rather than separately, avoid duplication, utilise synergies and combine their efforts.
The Federal Environment Ministry will steer international climate policy, including international climate negotiations, and thus also negotiate on Germany’s behalf within the framework of the Climate Change Conferences. This will facilitate closer coordination between international, European and national climate and environmental policy and pool the relevant technical expertise in one department. A new directorate-general for international climate policy will be established at the Federal Environment Ministry, headed by Heike Henn. The Federal Environment Ministry was responsible for this field up until 2021.
At the same time, climate policy will remain a core part of Germany’s foreign and security policy. Climate and energy policy cooperation is a key component of our bilateral relations with many countries. Germany’s reliability as a partner in climate action is an important asset, especially in times of geopolitical crisis.
The two ministries will continue to chair the group at State Secretary level set up under Germany’s Strategy on Climate Foreign Policy. Germany’s missions abroad, which include more than 50 Core Climate Embassies, will continue to play a major role in shaping climate diplomacy.
The Federal Environment Ministry will take over chief responsibility for the International Climate Initiative (IKI) from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, while maintaining close coordination with the Federal Development Ministry. Here too, we can increase Germany’s influence internationally if we act together as Team Germany. The Federal Foreign Office will continue to take part in the IKI, also through its own projects in the field of climate and security.
The climate-security nexus will remain an issue on which the Federal Foreign Office continues to work closely with security and humanitarian stakeholders. The Federal Intelligence Service regards the impact of climate change as one of the five major external threats to our country. Through our commitment to ambitious reduction measures, we want to mitigate climate risks in Germany, Europe and worldwide, avoid climate-related conflicts and, at the same time, build up sustainable resilience through targeted adaptation, especially in the worst-affected regions. We also use international forums such as the UN, EU, G7/G20, OSCE and NATO for this. Highlighting the connection between climate, peace and security is one of the core priorities of our candidacy for the UN Security Council in 2027-2028.