A “global deal” on climate protection and tackling poverty

Résumé of the “Climate change and justice” conference in Tutzing.

A fair climate policy seeks to balance the interests of different countries. Around 70 participants discussed what this means in terms of development and adaptation at the “Climate change and justice” conference. The conference, which took place at the end of May 2008, was organised by the Munich Re Foundation, the Evangelische Akademie, Tutzing, and InWEnt. Its main focus was reconciling greenhouse gas reduction with sustainable development.

There is now broad consensus among scientists and in general that human-induced greenhouse gases are one of the reasons for the increase in global temperatures. Concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have gone up by over a third since 1750, whilst average global temperatures have risen by nearly 0.8°C since records began. It has long been regarded as self-evident that the countries that reap the greatest economic benefits are those which release the largest quantities of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Many people are firmly convinced that we can only improve our standard of living if we produce more greenhouse gases.

The inherent contradiction between climate protection and economic growth has therefore become a key issue at international climate talks. Globally, by 2050, the 2000 emission levels will have to be cut by as much as 80% to limit further increases in atmospheric temperatures to 2°C, the absolute minimum according to scientists. This means a reduction in average emissions per capita of 2–5 tonnes.

Between 1850 and 2004, three-quarters of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions were caused by the industrialised nations, the remainder being accounted for by the developing countries. However, if we include emissions resulting from changes in the use of land such as deforestation and farming, as much as half can be attributed to developing and emerging countries. Margareta Kulessa, an economist from Mainz University of Applied Sciences and a member of the German Advisory Council on Global Change, summed up the situation in her opening presentation: “By and large it is the well-off who are responsible, irrespective of country.”

Ottmar Edenhofer, Chief Economist of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research warned that “unbridled climate change is dangerous.” Once average global temperatures exceed a certain level this may trip the switch of various crucial processes in the climate system and cause irreversible changes. If, as a result, the Amazon region is hit by drought, it will rapidly change from being a CO2 sink to a CO2 source. There is also a danger that, as the rapid retreat of the glaciers continues, countries like China could face water shortages. Scientists believe that a further increase of significantly more than 2°C in atmospheric temperatures over current levels would be enough to tip the balance.

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