International Climate Action

Climate change is one of the biggest global challenges of our time. Effective climate action can only be achieved through decisive multilateral action and close collaboration between all stakeholders, first and foremost between countries, scientists, civil society and industry. This makes international cooperation a key component of German climate policy.

With the 2015 Paris Agreement, the international community agreed to keep global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius, to make efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees and to gradually make the world economy greenhouse gas neutral. Germany is committed to these goals and is working with its international partners for ambitious, socially just and effective climate policy.

Shaping the German government's international climate policy and implementing effective measures for global climate action is a key focus of the Federal Environment Ministry alongside national and European climate policy. The goal is to accelerate the global transition to carbon-neutral, resilient and sustainable lifestyles and economies that strengthen sustainable development, social inclusion and economic stability. Accelerated expansion of renewable energy around the world and a socially just response to the consequences of climate change are necessary to achieve this.

The German government's view is that climate action, economic modernisation and social cohesion must be considered together. Successful international climate policy therefore links the protection of the natural foundations of life with security, economic growth, good jobs, fair development opportunities and technological innovation.