Germany’s economy and foreign affairs ministers have emphasized the need for enhanced international cooperation to drive the global energy transition and meet climate targets effectively. Speaking at the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD), the ministers highlighted Germany’s progress in increasing renewable power capacity and emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to transition away from fossil fuels worldwide.
Economy Minister Robert Habeck highlighted Germany’s success in raising its renewables share in the electricity system and reaffirmed the country’s commitment to reaching its 2030 climate targets. He stressed the importance of resolute planning and implementation to cut greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring economic growth and development, particularly in poorer countries.
Foreign Affairs Minister Annalena Baerbock underscored the need to address disparities in access to electricity globally without relying on fossil fuels. She called for a significant expansion of renewable power sources worldwide and emphasized the importance of mutual assistance and cooperation to accelerate the transition in countries with varying financial and technological resources.
Jennifer Morgan, special envoy for climate at the German foreign office, highlighted the importance of diplomatic efforts to translate climate agreements into actionable steps. Germany aims to leverage its experience in deploying renewables and its bilateral energy partnerships to support global efforts toward renewable energy adoption.
Simone Peter, head of the German renewable power industry’s lobby group BEE, emphasized the readiness of renewable power companies to transition to a 100% renewable energy system. She called for updated power market designs, improved grid infrastructure, and binding targets to incentivize private sector investments.
Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency (IEA), noted the rapid progress in advanced economies but stressed the need for faster transition in other parts of the world. While there are positive signs of reduced investments in fossil fuels, global efforts are still insufficient to meet the Paris Agreement’s targets.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) presented a report highlighting the need for a tripling of annual renewable power expansion to meet COP28 targets. More concerted international efforts are necessary to boost expansion, including infrastructure development, workforce training, and funding support for new projects.
Efforts to enhance energy cooperation within the EU have also been emphasized, with calls for closer integration of power markets and gas grids to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and achieve climate targets while stabilizing energy prices.
Overall, the consensus at the BETD underscores the urgency of coordinated global action to accelerate the energy transition and address the challenges of climate change effectively.