Clean Energy Wire reports that Germany aims to keep the Paris Climate Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C within reach even as the energy crisis in Europe puts the short term focus back on fossil fuels. This undertaking was made by foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, speaking at the Berlin Climate and Security Conference. “Russia’s war against Ukraine and its attacks on European energy security have not weakened our resolved push for the 1.5° goal – on the contrary,” said Baerbock. While the country has … revived coal power plants to ensure supply security, this is only be for a limited period of time, and the government is doubling down on energy efficiency and renewables at the same time, she added.
“The climate crisis is hitting with ever greater force: it harms, it kills and it displaces,” Baerbock said, highlighting the connection between climate change and security around the world. She said that Russia’s war against Ukraine had put the spotlight on the connection, as the disruption of grain exports from the region worsened the climate-induced food crisis in other parts of the world. “The climate crisis is the biggest security challenge the international community faces in the 21st century,” she said.
