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Germanwatch Blog

From policy to impact, get the expert take on the issues shaping our world.

Politiker sitzen im Kreis auf einer Sitzung der COP30 in Belem.

UN climate conferences Blog post 19.01.2026

Energetic Start, Outcome with Major Gaps: Looking Back at COP30 in Belém

COP30 proved to be a magnifying glass for the global struggle over international climate policy. Our experts discuss key developments and outcomes for their respective fields of work and take a look into the future.

Aerial view of a factory among green trees and bushes

Industrial transformation Blog post 13.01.2026

Indonesia and South Africa: Forging a Path to Net-Zero Industry

We introduce efforts to achieve industrial decarbonisation in Indonesia and South Africa, as viewed through the lens of experts from both countries. Both countries have concrete plans, but there are realities that they have to face. Both have made efforts to kick-start their industrial sector towards net-zero.

Leere Stühle bei der COP30 in einem Verhandlungsraum

UN climate conferences Blog post 17.11.2025

The New Nature of COPs

This article is an extended version of a German text originally published by Table.Media.COP30 is different from all previous COPs, and future COPs will rather follow the character of COP30.

Giftiger Rauch kommt aus dem Schornstein eines Wohnhauses

EU climate policy and carbon pricing Blog post 13.11.2025

New Emissions Trading System under Fire

Das EU-Emissionshandelssystem für Gebäude und Verkehr (ETS2) steht auf der Kippe: Mehrere Mitgliedstaaten wollen den Start um ein Jahr verschieben – und gefährden damit das zentrale Instrument europäischer Klimapolitik.

In drei Reihen stehen neu gepflanzte Mangroven in Wasser

UN climate conferences Dealing with the impacts of climate change Blog post 10.11.2025

Adaptation at COP30

With the world on the verge of overshooting the 1.5°C limit, adaptation to climate change is essential. We explain Germanwatch’s key demands on adaptation on the first day of COP30, taking into account the most recent reports and discussions.

Eine Protestfahne hängt vor einem Gebäude mit der Aufschrift "Climate Justice" (Klimagerechtigkeit)

Climate Litigation Blog post 06.11.2025

Courts Are Shaping the Future of Climate Action

In the absence of political will, the law has become a crucial driver of climate progress. Recent rulings make it clear that countries have binding legal duties to cut emissions, phase out fossil fuels, and finance adaptation efforts, laying the groundwork for stronger commitments at COP30.

Bei den SB Klima-Zwischenverhandlungen sitzen Diskutierende auf einem Podium vor einer Menge an Zuhörer:innen. Im Hintergrund steht #JuneClimateMeetings

UN climate conferences Blog post 05.08.2025

SB Debrief

The 62nd sessions of the UN Climate Change Subsidiary Bodies (SB62), which were held in Bonn in June 2025, were tasked with laying the foundations for a successful COP30.

Illustration zum Blogbeitrag

International climate co-operation Blog post 25.06.2025

Eyes on Beijing

China’s course will determine the direction of global climate policy. Europe can still take appropriate diplomatic measures.

Eine Solaranlage in der Wüste von Südafrika

Economy, Finance & Trade Sustainable Finance Blog post 12.06.2025

Separation is Futile

Climate and development finance are often conceptually separated, even though they are two sides of the same coin. In the third part of our blog series on the Fourth UN Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, we explore why the original promise of ‘new and additional’ climate finance has been broken and how we can ensure that Seville does not become a setback in global climate and development policy.

Eine vierstöckige Superyacht, die auf dem Meer schwimmt

Economy, Finance & Trade Sustainable Finance Blog post 04.06.2025

Love Is in the Air – But so Are Emissions

A reform of the global tax system is urgently needed in order to distribute burdens fairly and to achieve climate and development goals. In the second part of our blog series in the run-up to the Fourth United Nations Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Seville, we analyse the extent to which the super-rich and some under-taxed industries in particular are fuelling the climate crisis. Moreover, we show why the issue of tax reforms could be the key to a successful FfD4.

Bloggers

Christoph Bals

Chief Policy Officer

Jan Burck

Senior Advisor – Low-Carbon Strategies & Energy, Project Lead Climate Indices

David Eckstein

Senior Advisor – Climate Finance and Investments

Dr. Anja Carolin Gebel

Senior Policy Advisor - Public Finance and Climate

Julia Grimm

Senior Advisor – Climate Finance and Adaptation

Cornelia Heydenreich

Head of Division – Corporate Accountability

Klaus Milke

Honorary Chairman Germanwatch and Chair of the Foundation for Sustainability

Stefan Rostock

Head of Division – Education for Sustainable Development, Promoter for Climate & Development in North Rhine-Westphalia

Laura Schäfer

Head of Division – International Climate Policy

Rixa Schwarz

Senior Advisor – Climate and Development – India

Dr. Manfred Treber

Special Advisor - Climate Science and Transport

Lutz Weischer

Head of Policy Berlin