The German Federal Minister for Development Cooperation, Reem Alabali Radovan, has voiced her support for the European Commission’s recently unveiled climate protection targets for 2040. In an interview with the “Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung” Radovan described the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 90 percent as “ambitious, but correct.
The Minister emphasized that climate change is not limited to localized events like record temperatures, but is a significant driver and exacerbator of international crises, including displacement, poverty, hunger and conflict. She asserted that mitigating global warming is a “vital necessity” to prevent future escalation of these issues.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen formally announced the emissions reduction target earlier this week. While the proposal from Brussels has garnered praise from some, including fellow SPD politician and Climate Protection Minister Carsten Schneider, it has also faced criticism from within the business sector.
Acknowledging a growing unease regarding climate protection measures within Germany, Minister Radovan highlighted the recent heatwave, stating it has underscored the significant and ongoing work ahead. She underscored that, for numerous developing nations, climate change is already a relentless and enduring struggle, countering any perception that climate action is solely a European concern.