German Business

The Germans are the world's leading carbon dioxide neutral country, and they have a thriving business market. If Germany can have carbon neutrality with a thriving business, then why can’t America? During their presentation the German Business for Climate Protection or BDI initiative was open in listing the many ways that they succeeded in accomplishing their carbon neutrality.

1) They created climate friendly coal plants using carbon capture and storage.

2) They created climate friendly transport such as electric trains.

3) They build new houses that reduce carbon dioxide emissions down to nearly zero. Something as common as insulation can reduce a home's carbon emissions.

The German Minister of the Environment expressed his views on how the COP 15 was coming along in short bursts. In one such burst he said, “If we were to try to achieve CO₂ neutral business through renewables then we would rely heavily on contraction (a declining global cap which would be set on worldwide carbon emissions) and convergence (moving over time over towards equal per capita carbon emission rights). We need a short term goal or we won't see investment in CDMs or other business technologies. We also need a long term goal to keep the investments rising. I think that an effective protocol would use a ranking of countries that produce carbon products. If we were to do this then China would be the largest CO₂ emitter because they export coal, computers, and other technologies. If we were to rely on CDMs then CDMs will have to change because they (CDMs) will not save us as they are now.” Through other remarks made by the German minister it was clear that Germany’s goal for COP 15 is for an agreement in which all countries would adhere to one standard, and to make the protocol larger than what is being proposed right now. He said that COP 15 is a big chance for the United Nations to press forward on carbon emission targets later saying, “We have a moral duty to be successful!”

One of the business speakers made clear that it is in the interest of all nations to be at the forefront of eco-friendly business, because, along with industry, these are the markets that will generate employment in the future.