– Es gilt das gesprochene Wort! –
Mr. President,
Excellencies,
I would like to begin by expressing my profound gratitude to our Brazilian hosts. The presidency is doing a great job driving forward the progress we need. And the great people of Brazil have already won me over with their warm hospitality.
If we compare today's world with a world without Climate Conferences, we will see a massive difference. We started our journey 30 years ago, when we had the first COP in Berlin. Before the COP in Paris 10 years ago, we were headed for a world with global warming of over 4 degrees. Thanks to the pledges and measures initiated at the COPs, we are now looking at under 3 degrees. This is a big achievement, but clearly, we need to do more. Multilateral cooperation is the key. And I am here to defend it in politically turbulent times.
The key sector for this to succeed is the energy industry. Renewable energies have overtaken coal worldwide. More and more countries are introducing emissions trading systems as a way to meet climate targets. All of this shows that we are making important progress. But we can and we will do more!
The transition to a climate neutral world is challenging. But it is also a major economic and social opportunity. The cost of inaction would be far higher.
Today in Germany, nearly 60 percent of our electricity supply comes from renewable energy sources. We are closing coal-fired power stations and reducing gas consumption.
Germany is a reliable partner and stands by the new climate finance target adopted in Baku.
In 2024, we contributed almost 12 billion euros to international climate finance. For example, we contributed to a just energy transition in Indonesia and South Africa. Over 6 billion euros of this are public funds, which can also be used to mobilise further public and private funding.
We need to get better at this. For example, through guarantees, which is why I am pleased that we have launched the Green Guarantee Group in Germany. Many partners are already involved in the Group.
We were among the first to contribute to the new Fund for responding to Loss and Damage. The first call for projects has now started. This is an important step.
Adaptation measures will play a key role here in Belém. These measures need to be implemented even faster to protect people and ecosystems.
We will continue to especially support vulnerable countries. For example: The small island developing states in the Caribbean are heavily affected by climate change. With our support, resilient coastal ecosystems help to better protect people from severe weather events such as hurricanes. And we are taking further action. I am pleased to announce to you today, that this year again we will support the Adaptation Fund with a contribution of 60 million euros.
We need to free ourselves from our dependency on coal, oil and gas. Our guiding principle is electrification not combustion – in industry, transport and buildings.
Electrification and decarbonisation offer huge economic opportunities They will improve the competitiveness of our industries.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), 92.5 percent of new electricity production capacities in 2024 were renewable.
We need to further accelerate the global energy transition. The expansion of power grids and storage systems plays a key role. I am pleased that we are advancing this together. In this context, we welcome President Lula’s call for a roadmap on transitioning away from fossil fuels. It is the bold signal we need in order to kickstart a process at this COP. Germany supports this.
As I said at the beginning: Despite, and precisely because of, the current political headwinds, we defend multilateralism. Germany and Europe have come to Belém as reliable partners that work ambitiously at home, foster global cooperation and stand in solidarity with those most affected.
Thank you.