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The new National
Climate Protection Program, as agreed upon by the federal government
on 13 July, was the subject of the “Climate Talk” on 13 August 2005.
Experts from business, science and politics discussed the economic
and political meaning of the program, particularly against the backdrop
of emissions trading, Germany's (formerly) leading role in climate
protection and Germany's 2012-emissions-reduction-goals. Presentations
were given by Astrid Harnisch (Federal Ministry of the Environment,
Nature Conservation and Nuclear Protection, BMU), Regine Günther
(WWF) and Sven Reinhardt (CDU/CSU-faction).
The
purpose of the Climate Protection Program is to evaluate the former
climate policy and to highlight the current need for action. The
new program determines the framework for future climate policy,
which pertains to i.a. the transport sector, private households,
trade, and industry.
Astrid
Harnisch presented the subject from the point of view of the federal
government. Regine Günther and Sven Reinhardt highlighted the
topic from the perspectives of an environmental organisation and
the CDU/CSU faction respectively.
The
ensuing discussion showed the difficulties of medium and long term
climate protection, as well as the meaning of quantified targets
and concrete state measures. The relevance of energy efficiency
measures was underscored and the expansion of emissions trading
to other sectors discussed. The debate continued on topics like
policy mix and distortion of competition by climate protection into
the early evening and was eventually moved to a nearby location,
where the evening drew to a relaxed close.
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