Tuesday 28 April 2020

German companies call on government to ensure green recovery from Covid-19

Nearly 70 German companies have signed a letter asking the government to ensure a green recovery from Covid-19 and accelerated action towards Paris Agreement goals.

The broad alliance of 68 companies, which include brands from all sectors of the economy such as heavy industry, mechanical engineering, vehicle manufacturing, the financial sector, building and mobility sectors, came together at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue (PCD).

In a letter, the businesses said: "As businesses, we are assuming social responsibility in this situation and are prepared to play our central role in climate action as well.

"If we continue to make climate action a part of our business models, it will play an important role in dealing with the impacts of the corona crisis while at the same time helping to avoid profound impacts of the climate crisis.

"We are therefore calling upon the German Federal Government to combine crisis management and climate policy and to support us businesses with long-term stimulus packages and reliable frameworks as we continue working towards achieving climate objectives in line with the Paris Agreement.

"In this way, ambitious and smart climate policy can become a sustainable modernisation project for the economy."

Alok Sharma, President of the next Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, wrote on Twitter: "Delighted to co-host the PCD with Germany. During these difficult times, our commitment to urgent climate action has now wavered. COP26 can be a moment the world comes together to ramp up momentum towards a climate-resilient, zero-carbon economy."

https://twitter.com/AlokSharma_RDG/status/1254728994043375616?s=20

The PCD is regarded as a key moment in the international climate diplomacy calendar, bringing together around 35 climate ministers for a discussion on topical of international climate policy.

https://twitter.com/COP26/status/1255013879161040896?s=20