German Environment Minister in South Africa ahead of COP17
The German Environment Minister Norbert Röttgen arrived in South Africa to take part in an informal consultative meeting of ministers ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference in late November. The meeting, hosted by South Africa’s Foreign Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, intended to facilitate the work towards the success of the conference in November and comprised ministers from over 40 nations. It took place on September 8 and 9 at the offices of The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
President Jacob Zuma addressed the conference on September 9. He called climate change the most pressing sustainable development challenge of our time and urged ministers to work towards a meaningful outcome in Durban.
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Minister Röttgen’s attendance reflects Germany’s strong support of the international climate negotiations and the conference in Durban. Both Germany and the EU closely cooperate with the South African government in making a concerted effort to ensure that COP17 will bring about "the next big step forward". The ministerial consultations follow the Petersberg Dialogue hosted by the German Government in July in Berlin.
Consultative discussions play an important role in supporting the final outcomes of the broader negotiating bodies at COP and CMP meetings. The final formal Preparatory Meeting of negotiators will take place in Panama City at the beginning of October, followed by another informal Ministerial in South Africa later that month.
Minister Röttgen highlighted Germany’s commitment to a multilateral rules-based approach aiming at limiting the increase of temperature to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius. Germany is committed to take a leading role and therefore already has decided to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent by 2020 compared to 1990 levels. The German Parliament has already passed legislation on the means to achieve this target. Germany considers a low carbon development offering big opportunities for creating and securing jobs and promoting welfare.
