Globally, Germany is a pioneer of climate protection as well as of the development of renewable energy.
The 21st century is considered the "century of the environment", and the main threat of our time is the accelerated climate change. In the following decades, it will be decided that to what extend the natural living conditions of our future generations will be changed. Environmental and climate protection have long been a vital issue in Germany. Globally, Germany is a pioneer of climate protection as well as of the development of renewable energy.
With the transformation of the energy sector, Germany has left the fossil-nuclear energy age behind and has embarked on a sustainable energy future. This includes the phase-out of nuclear power by 2022. By 2030, Germany intends to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. It is aimed to reduce at least 70 percent by 2040, and by 2050 80 to 95 percent shall be achieved. In November 2016, the Federal Government has published the "Climate Protection Plan 2050", which made it the first country in the world to set its climate policy principles and targets. By 2017, a reduction of 28 percent has been achieved.
In the global context, the Federal Government is also committed to environmental protection, cooperation on energy issues and environmental-friendly development. According to the Paris Agreement in 2015, the global temperature should rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and, if possible, to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Germany has fully committed itself to reach this goal. By the second half of the century at the latest, a large-scale global greenhouse gas neutrality should be established. This requires an 80 to 95 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emission in developed countries. The complete "decarbonization" is to be achieved in the course of the century. The UN Secretariat, which supervises the implementation of the Framework Convention on Climate Change, is located in Bonn.
A protected environment, fresh air, clean water, diversity in nature, is essential for a high quality of life. Environmental protection, as a state aim, has been enshrined in the Constitution since 1994. In terms of air and water quality, the indicators have shown a significant improvement over years. Emission of pollutants such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides have fallen sharply, although not yet sufficient. The consumption of drinking water per capita has also fallen noticeably, from over 140 litres per day at the peak to around 120 litres.
Germany's strategy is to bring economic growth and environmental protection together in order to achieve sustainable economy. In conjunction with expansion of renewable energies, it is also crucial to increase the energy and resource efficiency as well as to use renewable raw materials wisely. It is a double-dividend strategy. On the one hand, the environmental and climate pollution is reduced, while on the other hand new business areas and jobs are created.