Baerbock says climate crisis is biggest security problem

Berlin (dpa) – Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the global community to step up its efforts and take immediate action against man-made global warming. “The climate crisis is now the biggest security problem facing everyone on this earth,” the Green politician said at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin on Monday. “We don't have 10, 20 or 30 years; no, we have eight years left to cut global emissions almost in half.”

Baerbock said that industrialised countries in particular had an obligation to act. “The industrialised countries bear a very special responsibility. After all, we are the leaders in terms of emissions.” The industrialised countries must face up to their responsibilities and keep their promises, the foreign minister demanded. “That means finally achieving the target of 1,000 billion dollars to fund climate action. And it means doubling our joint financing of adaptation measures as compared with 2019.”

Baerbock stressed: “The climate crisis stops at no border. That is why our responses to it must not stop at any border either.” The goal, she said, was to work together and internationally “to contain the greatest security threat of this century”. She described the Petersberg Climate Dialogue as a key element in paving the way to a successful International Climate Conference COP27 in Egypt this November. “We are all in the same boat, which means we can only change tack together,” said Baerbock.

At the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, ministers and representatives from about 40 countries hope to agree on how to continue the fight against climate change. During the two-day meeting, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will also speak. Germany and Egypt are hosting the conference, which is also intended to set the course for the International Climate Conference COP27 in early November in the Egyptian coastal town of Sharm el-Sheikh.