The Heinrich Böll Foundation has offices in all key countries involved in the global reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In Berlin, as well as in 12 other cities around the globe, we actively analyse the UNFCCC negotiations, national mitigation and adaptation plans, the implementation thereof, and additional issues such as gender or financing. The constant debate and exchange of information between our offices provides the Heinrich Böll Foundation with a unique perspective. Below you will find a list of our main activities. For more detailed information, please follow the links.
Headquarters of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung. Photo: Jan Bitter
Most Germans are aware of the dangers posed by climate change. Especially from 2007 onwards, findings such as the reports of the IPCC or Lord Stern have led to an increase in media coverage. While 57% of Germans perceive of climate change as the world’s biggest problem, more recently scepticism seems to have been on the rise. The Heinrich Böll Foundation is trying to spread awareness concerning the dangers of climate change and to promote active and responsible policies in Germany.
Germany is a member of the G8 and the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF). It has signed the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord. According to Kyoto, Germany had to cut emissions by 21%. This was achieved largely for two reasons: the collapse of Eastern German industries following reunification and a regulated feed-in tariff for renewables (EEG). Germany’s current conservative government has agreed to unilaterally cut emissions by 40% until 2020 (compared to 1990 levels).
While, to the casual observer, this may sound good, it is important to stress that thus the real potential for reductions is all but exhausted. Furthermore, in Copenhagen, Germany has pledged 420 million € for Adaptation and Clean Development in the Global South. Yet, since then it has become clear that the overwhelming part of this, i.e. 350 million €, will be cut out of existing budgets for development aid.
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Germany: http://boell.de/ecology/climate/climate-energy.html
Department Head Ecology and Sustainable Development: Lili Fuhr,
fuhr@boell.de,
+49 (0)30-285 34 304
Department Head Climate and Energy Policy: Tilman Santarius,
santarius@boell.de,
+49 (0)30 28534-363
Citizen's Action on 20% Energy Saving.
Photo: Chen Jiliang
China, the fastest growing economy in the world, has become the leading emitter of greenhouse gases. Because of that, it is facing considerable pressure from the international community to actively pursue mitigation measures.
Although China’s government calls on industrialised countries to cut their emissions considerably, it views mitigation and adaptation policies within China as domestic issues and is unwilling to subject uniateral actions to international verification. Nevertheless, it is willing to make great efforts to access markets arising through sustainable development. By 2020, and compared to 2005 figures, China wants to lower its CO2 emissions per unit of GDP by 40-45 percent and increase the share of non-fossil fuels in primary energy consumption to around 15 percent. Compared to what other countries pledge - and considering China’s stage of development - these are ambitious targets.
However, this is not just a question of ambition: The current system of emission data monitoring, reporting, and verifying is insufficient; expanding production of photovoltaics units may lead to severe pollution; waste incineration power plants have already led to social tensions in some cities. As a country in rapid transition, China has to deal with many issues to do with sustainable development in a relatively short time.
Heinrich Böll Foundation in China: http://www.boell-china.org/web/40.html
Programme Manager: Chen Jiliang,
chen.jiliang@boell-china.org,
+86 (0)10 66154615-107
The European Union has been the driving force in international climate negotiations and legislation. In order to sustain its leadership, the EU has to take the right steps in the run-up to the climate negotiations that will be held in Mexico in late 2010. In 2008, the 27 EU countries led the way by setting themselves binding climate and energy targets for 2020. These so-called ‘20-20-20 targets’ include:
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20% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (compared to 1990 levels). This will go up to 30%, should other developed countries commit themselves to comparable targets and should developing countries contribute according to their capabilities.
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20% of EU energy has come from renewable resources.
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20% reduction in primary energy consumption through an increase in energy efficiency.
The economic downturn, however, is currently being used to justify a reduction in funding, down from the 70 billion € initially agreed upon to now € 48 billion. Connie Hedegaard, the first EU Commissioner for Climate Action, argues that the EU should target a 30% reduction and maintain its initial financial commitment. Currently, this is blocked by some member states. Another crucial point will be the EU’s commitment to give, within the next three years, 7.2 billion € to developing countries to finance climate mitigation. It is to be hoped that adequate funds will be forthcoming. Otherwise - or should these funds only be deducted from existing budgets for development aid - the EU’s credibility in the developing world will collapse.
The Brussels office, together with the offices in Prague and Washington, is also involved in international policy exchanges between the US and EU within the framework of the Transatlantic Climate Network.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, European Union office: http://www.boell.eu
Co-ordinator, Climate and Energy Policy Programme: Annett Waltersdorf,
waltersdorf@boell.eu
+32-2-743 41 06
Photo: Steve Evans CC-BY
Climate change will hit hard in South Africa - and that at a time when poverty reduction is still a priority. However, there is little public debate on climate change and its impact on development and poverty reduction. The rise in the number of violent protests in the country shows that the majority of South Africans is more immediately concerned with employment, improved health care, or with issues such as HIV / AIDS, crime, and corruption.
According to the UN Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol South Africa does not have to limit its greenhouse gas emissions. Yet, the country has been a driving force in international climate negotiations, representing the interests of developing countries and the Africa Group. In December 2009, President Jacob Zuma announced that by 2020 South Africa will try to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by around 34% and by around 42% until 2025. These plans, however, depend upon developed countries providing finance, technology, and capacity building. Whether South Africa, given its carbon intensive economy, will be able to meet this target is a moot point.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, Cape Town office: http://www.boell.org.za/
Programme Manager Sustainable Development: Sakhile Koketso,
sakhile@boell.org.za,
+27 - (0)21 - 461 62 66
In Nigeria, climate change has led to a rise in sea levels, more desertification, and erosion, as well as flooding and land degradation. Fertile farmland is being destroyed. Fish stocks in the lagoons along the coast and in the dwindling lakes diminish. Climate change will increasingly affect economic development in Nigeria and thus threaten the volatile co-existence of ethnic and religious communities. The effects can already be seen along Nigeria’s major roads: Lorries are carrying firewood up north and return to the south loaded with migrants in search of a livelihood and employment.
In Nigeria, with its population of about 150 million, development policy cannot be effective without a reform of the power sector. In 2005, the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act was signed into law. It encourages private sector participation in power production through Independent Power Producers (IPP). Because of the high investments and the uncertain pricing, the current IPPs are owned by federal and state governments and by a few international oil companies. The manufacturing sector in Lagos, where 70% of industry is located, is using small independent power producers who supply electricity independent of the national grid. Currently, there is great interest in developing renewable energy sources, yet an official policy backing this is lacking.
For the last three years, our Nigeria office has worked to create awareness on the causes and effects of climate change. Currently, we are setting up a network connecting the private sector and civil society with the aim to review the existing legal framework regarding energy efficiency and renewable energies.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, Lagos office: http://www.boellnigeria.org/
Programme Co-ordinator, Governance and Sustainability: Agbojo Adewale,
wale@boellnigeria.org
Photo: Zscout370 and Alex Covarrubias Wikimedia
In Mexico, 90% of the population believes that climate change is a serious problem, and 79% think that the government should do more about it. More surprisingly, according to a poll undertaken on behalf of the World Bank, 51% would be willing to pay more for energy, should this curb climate change.
Mexico has signed the Kyoto Protocol and is a member of the G20 and the G5. At the end of 2010, Mexico will host the 16th international climate summit. National policy for emissions reduction is to cut greenhouse gases by around 30% until 2020 and by around 50% until 2050.
Among developing countries, Mexico is one of the most advanced in implementing the Kyoto Protocol. Yet, while internationally Mexico’s stance seems to be fairly progressive, there is no clear national strategy for emission reductions. Among the four possible long-term strategies being reviewed, two include the construction of up to 20 nuclear power plants until 2028, while the other two rely on traditional sources such as coal and oil.
Heinrich Böll Foundation in Latin America: http://www.boell-latinoamerica.org/
Programme Manager: Jorge Villareal,
programas@boell-latinoamerica.org.mx
For many years now, Russia has dismantled many environmental safeguards. The exploitation of natural resources, above all oil and gas, but also of metals and uranium, has taken priority over the preservation of the environment. In recent years, the rights of Russians to participate in environmental decision making has been ever further curtailed. Until recently, climate policy has been seen as a rather exotic issue, and it is one many still do not take seriously – and that despite the fact that climactic changes can be very clearly felt. To fight climate change the Russian government wants to primarily expand the country’s nuclear energy capacity on a massive scale. Thus, very little progress has been made to develop renewable energies or encourage energy conservation.
Nevertheless, according to a recent World Bank poll, 56% of Russians want their government to do more against climate change. Currently, Russia proposes to reduce its emissions by 15 - 25% below 1990 levels by 2020. The maximum reduction aim of 25% is conditional on allowances for Russian forests and on the adoption of legally binding commitments by all major emitters.
Through publications and conferences, our Moscow office encourages debate and international exchange on issues to do with climate and energy policies.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, Moscow office: http://www.boell.ru/web/index-en.html
Programme Officer Ecology: Alisa Nikulina,
nikulina@boell.ru
It was only in 2007 that climate change became an issue in India. Since then India’s positions have developed considerably. India has pledged to reduce its emissions by 20 – 25% until 2020 (compared to 2005 levels), not counting agriculture. As India has a very low per capita emissions rate there is little pressure for greater reductions. Absolute reductions, inscribed in an international treaty, are not an option for India, yet the young Minister for Environment, Jairam Ramesh, is tackling the issue more energetically than his predecessor did.
Our India programme on climate and energy focuses on climate justice. We stipulate dialogue and debate, commission studies and evaluations of national policies, support various progressive voices, and further the discourse between North and South on sustainable energies. Our programme aims to heighten the input of researchers into the climate debate and involve NGOs, academics, businesses, and the government in finding shared solutions. In addition, we aim to build awareness on the impacts of climate change and of potential countermeasures.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, New Delhi office: http://www.boell-india.org/
Programme Advisor, Climate Change: Sanjay Vashist,
sanjay.vashist@hbfasia.org,
+ 91 11 2685 4405
Photo: Dino Quinzani CC-BY-SA
Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and the Ukraine
Throughout the region we are trying to make politics take climate change more seriously. To achieve this, we organise and supports conferences, seminars, and capacity building workshops in co-operation with various partners. A central aspect in this is to outline the economic benefits of investments in low carbon energies. Due to the considerable energy intensity of the economies in the whole region, this issue is highly relevant. In addition, we critically analyse plans to develop additional nuclear capacities as a would-be response to climate change.
All countries in the region have signed the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord. According to the Kyoto Protocol, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8% until 2012; for Poland the figure is 6%. Due to the collapse of heavy industries following the transformation after 1989, this was easily achieved. In 2008, in the Czech Republic greenhouse gas emissions were 27% below 1990 levels, in Poland 20%. However, in recent years, emissions have increased in the expanding transport and automotive sectors.
The EU has agreed to cut greenhouse gas emissions until 2020 by 20%, respectively by 30% based on 1990 levels. For most countries in the region this means there is little effort to switch to a more energy efficient and low carbon future. However, there are also positive developments such as feed-in laws for renewables. The Czech “Green light to savings fund” aims to reduce CO2 emissions. With 400 million € earned from emission trading this fund subsidises measures for greater energy efficiency and the use of renewables in private households. In Poland, a special “climate account” was created to promote Green Investments Schemes (GIS). The focus is on energy management in public buildings. Programmes to promote the use of biomass and to modernise heating systems and power grids are under review.
The Ukraine has great potential to improve energy efficiency, yet entrenched political and economic interests hinder reforms within the energy sector. Our Kiev office supports and publishes studies on this topic. A further activity is capacity building among journalists.
Societies and economies can benefit greatly from ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. An ecological transformation towards a low carbon economy provides tremendous opportunities for innovative enterprises, job creation, and savings. The Prague office, together with the offices in Washington and Brussels, is also involved in international policy exchanges between the US and EU within the framework of the Transatlantic Climate Network.
Programme Co-ordinator: Erik Siegl,
siegl@boell.cz,
+420 251 814 173,
http://www.boell.cz/web/40.html
Project Co-ordinator Poland: Katarzyna Radzikowska,
radzikowska@boell.pl,
+48 22 594 23 35,
http://www.boell.pl/web/100.html
Head of the Kiev office: Kyryl Savin,
savin@boell.org.ua,
http://www.boell.org.ua/web/50.html
Photo: Rodrigo Soldon CC-BY
After a drawn-out domestic debate, Brazil, in Copenhagen, has made a turnaround on its climate policy and come out with voluntary national reduction goals. This has now been codified in a national climate law. Until 2020, Brazil will reduce its emissions by 36.1 - 38.9%. Emissions, which are projected to rise by 2.7 bn tonnes of CO2 until 2020, will be reduced by 975 mio tonnes. Of those 975 million tonnes, 669 million will be from less deforestation, a further 133 million from agriculture, and 166 from the energy sector. Brazil puts its hopes on agrofuels and “green coal” (i.e. charcoal from plantations to be used to smelt iron ore). In agriculture, approaches will be direct seeding and a closer integration of cattle production with farming.
While in the past our main focus was to get climate policy onto the political agenda, today we assess the strategies proposed and their implementation. It is crucial for Brazil to reduce emissions from deforestation. The present goal is to cut deforestation by 80% until 2020. To achieve this, financial support through the international programme “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation” (REDD) is central. The financial incentives have turned conservative politicians into climate advocates. Many NGOs and indigenous organisations support this mechanism, too. Our Brazil offices tries to stipulate debate on REDD by giving a voice to more critical assessments. The anticipated billions are tied to an international regime that finances REDD with market mechanisms and “offsets”. It is all but clear whether this “mercantilisation” will enhance sustainable development in the region - or whether it will only further privilege some parties. We are trying to educate civil society activists so that they can take part in the debate.
Brazilian climate policy is paradox: At its centre is neither the reduction of emissions from industry or the transport sector but the construction of new giant dams in Amazonia, as well as the expansion of agro-energy. The debate on energy policy has to tackle such “wrong solutions” – and this includes nuclear energy. The challenge is to promote alternatives that are climate-friendly and environmentally sound (such as wind and solar energy). To achieve this, we are trying to empower civil society activists by giving them the possibility to engage in national and international exchanges and by giving them a platform on which to voice their concerns.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, Rio office: http://www.boell-latinoamerica.org/navigation/11.html
Contact: Dawid Bartelt,
br-director@br.boell.org
Photo: Kevin McCoy CC-BY-SA
In the United States climate change is still a very controversial issue. In 2010, the percentage of Americans who think global warming is an exaggerated problem not caused by humans reached unprecedented highs. 48% of US citizens believe that the effects of climate change are “overblown”. Record snowfalls in early 2010 and a growing partisan divide in the political debate are among the many factors that could be contributing to this shift, analysts say.
Against the background of this debate and of record unemployment it is no surprise that Congress is reluctant to pass comprehensive climate and energy legislation. Current proposals would start a cap and trade system and cut greenhouse gas emissions for the first time ever. The House of Representatives has already passed its version of the bill, yet it is locked down in the Senate. Democrats have announced not to push the climate bill until after November’s mid-term elections. Hopes thus rest on an energy-only bill that could include at least some provisions to reduce emissions.
Legislation aside, the administration has enacted several initiatives that will help bring the US on a path towards a low carbon economy. The stimulus package included an $80 billion investment in green technologies such as renewable energies, weatherisation, and public transport. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has enacted stricter emission standards for cars and is preparing similar standards for power plants and industries. In addition, many states promote renewable energy and efficiency programmes.
With the election of Barack Obama, the US has become very active in international climate negotiations. Yet, this renewed multilateralism does not necessarily mean that the US shares the interests of European Union, for example concerning the UNFCCC negotiations. The US was one of the driving forces behind the Copenhagen Accord. For this, it has pledged to reduce its emissions by 3% until 2020 (against 1990 levels, minus 17% in comparison to 2005). In addition, the US insists that the Major Economies Forum has to play a more important role in the fight against climate change.
The Washington office, together with the offices in Prague and Brussels, is also involved in international policy exchanges between the US and EU within the framework of the Transatlantic Climate Network.
Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington office: http://www.boell.org/