“The global energy transition is being accelerated by an exciting mix of innovation, climate policy and societal pressure”, says Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation (ECF). “Citizens are demanding clean air, business people are recognizing the business potential of climate action and politicians see the transition is feasible thanks to dramatic falls in the costs of renewable energy.”
According to the report, climate action must be accelerated, especially on a national level, in order to limit global warming to well below 2°C. “The domestic commitments to climate protection are still insufficient to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement”, says Dr. Lars Grotewold, Director Centre for Climate Change at Stiftung Mercator. As the host of the G20 Germany, must embrace this challenge: “Germany should be ambitious, and demonstrate with a successful energy transition that the transformation to a climate-friendly and sustainable economy is feasible.”
Dr. Michael Otto, businessman, chairman of the Michael Otto Foundation for Environmental Protection and initiator of the Berlin based Stiftung 2 Grad, emphasized the social and economic opportunities that arise as cobenefits of climate protection: “195 countries have committed to zero emissions by the end of the century. Whoever is developing the necessary technologies, products and services for this process is at the front line of international competition,” says Otto stating that it would be risky from a business point of view to be left behind in this development.