We humans influence the climate on our planet, causing the atmosphere, oceans and land areas to heat up. This is clearly borne out by the latest findings of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Human-induced climate change is already resulting in many weather extremes in all regions of the world, including heat waves, heavy precipitation, droughts and tropical cyclones. In some cases these are becoming more frequent and intense.

Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze commented on the latest IPCC report: “We’ve had enough wake-up calls and appeals. The IPCC report published today reminds us once again that time is running out to save the planet as we know it. The report also establishes clearly that there are already many consequences of climate change that we can no longer avoid – all we can do is to prepare and adapt as best we can as an international community.”

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The Paris climate protection agreement pursues the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius as compared to the pre-industrial era, if possible to 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change states that the planet will heat up beyond these levels in the course of the 21st century unless there is a drastic reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions.

Federal Government launches Immediate Action Programme for climate protection

The Federal Government has stepped up its efforts to meet the new climate targets set out in the Climate Change Act. The aim is for Germany to be carbon neutral by 2045. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced by at least 65 percent as compared to 1990. To this end, the Federal Government has launched an Immediate Action Programme 2022 and adopted the Climate Action Programme 2030.

As Federal Research Minister Anja Karliczek emphasised: “Germany is to become a hub for the development of climate-friendly technologies. In addition to green hydrogen for a carbon-neutral industry, this also includes methods for eliminating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. It is crucial to get the population on our side as we pursue the aim of a sustainable and carbon-free society and economy through dialogue, research and development.”

Adaptation to climate change

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report shows that the Earth heated up by around 1.1 degrees Celsius between the end of the 19th century (1850-1900) and the past decade (2010-2019). Global warming is driving many changes in the climate system. This can be seen by the fact that glaciers are increasingly receding and that Arctic sea ice is melting drastically while sea levels are rising. Heat extremes, heavy precipitation, droughts and tropical cyclones are increasing in magnitude and intensity. What is needed, therefore, is a combination of climate protection measures and adaptation to change.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced right away if the Paris climate targets are to be met. Global carbon emissions have to reach net zero by 2050, which will require ambitious reductions in emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report provides a basis for science-based policy decisions. The current status report was compiled by more than 230 researchers from 66 countries.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change was established in 1988 by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization. It commissions scientists worldwide to compile the current state of research on climate change.