#62 KlimaGoodNews: Challenges & Hope
The news over the past weeks has been rather disheartening for all of us: global greenhouse gas emissions have reached a new record high, while current efforts are steering us toward a temperature increase of up to 3.1 degrees. Expectations for the ongoing UN Climate Conference (COP29) are muted, and a re-elected U.S. president, as a climate change skeptic, is pushing for greater reliance on fossil fuels. Phew!
But it’s precisely in these challenging times that it’s all the more important to stand up for climate protection and not lose sight of positive developments. Despite all the obstacles, there remain significant opportunities for climate action – especially as it’s increasingly seen as an economically smart choice. This means economic growth and decreasing emissions can go hand in hand, and building a climate-friendly economy is both achievable and worthwhile.
This isn’t just about political action! As a society, we can encourage climate-friendly decisions and drive the momentum for a sustainability-oriented economy. In this edition of our KlimaGoodNews, you’ll find exciting and inspiring developments that can help pave this path. We hope you feel empowered and uplifted as you read 💚
Increasing sales with environmental protection
Environmental protection has become increasingly important in recent years. But does this also present an opportunity for companies?
In the sector that deals with solutions and approaches for a more sustainable future, the following can currently be observed: In 2022, companies in the manufacturing and services sector generated over 100 billion euros, 17% more than in 2022. The industry as a whole now has around 376,000 employees, with 35,000 new employees added in 2022 alone. The central pillar of this is climate protection, which alone generated 61.7 billion euros for companies. Measures in the areas of energy efficiency, thermal insulation and the use of renewable energies, primarily wind energy, play a major role here. The trends in turnover and employment figures therefore show a clear direction.
Investments in environmental protection are also increasing due to the high revenue. In 2022, the industry as a whole invested more than 13 billion euros in tangible assets such as technical equipment and machinery that promote environmental protection.
In any case, environmental protection offers new opportunities for many companies!
Is EU emissions trading also health protection?
The discussions surrounding the benefits of the EU Emissions Trading System are omnipresent. Now, researchers in Hamburg have succeeded in clearly linking the reduction of health-threatening pollutants, such as fine particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, to the decrease in greenhouse gas emissions.
Almost 20 years ago, in 2005, the EU Emissions Trading System was introduced. Companies buy or sell rights to emit greenhouse gases—if more is emitted, more rights must be purchased. The number of available rights is continuously decreasing, making it more costly to pollute the atmosphere.
According to the German Environment Agency, climate-damaging emissions have been reduced by around 38% over the past 20 years. Researchers at the University of Hamburg have also found that pollutants like sulfur dioxide and fine particulate matter have significantly decreased—by 39% and 28%, respectively. These reductions positively impact public health and could save the healthcare system hundreds of billions of euros.
The result is clear: Climate protection is directly health protection and strengthens public support for emissions trading.
DER SPIEGEL
🎊 Earthly Delights
Ecological costs as a lever for more climate-friendly industrial goods
A study by Munich University of Applied Sciences shows how taking ecological costs into account could make the production of industrial goods more climate-friendly. Using the example of screws, researchers calculated the CO₂ emissions along the entire value chain and linked them to various CO₂ tax rates: 43 euros per tonne (current EU price), 195 euros (Federal Environment Agency target) and 680 euros (intergenerational price).
The analysis covers three scenarios: Production in countries with lax environmental standards, conventional production in the EU and sustainable production with recycled materials and green electricity. The results show that most of the CO₂ costs are due to the choice of steel material and its production process. For example, the use of recycled steel could reduce environmental costs by up to 75%, while the location or transportation routes play a lesser role.
Currently, however, CO₂ pricing only marginally increases production costs (by around one percent), which makes climate-friendly processes hardly more economically competitive. The study therefore emphasizes the importance of ecological costs in pricing and shows how they could serve as the key to more sustainable industrial production.
💯 Number of the week
80 % - less net emissions with more economic output
Sweden has managed to reduce its net emissions by 80% since 1990 while doubling its economic growth. This model, which protects the climate without jeopardizing prosperity, could serve as a model for other countries.
The Swedish success is based on several factors: Early investments in renewable energies such as hydropower and wind energy now cover 70% of electricity demand. The rest is supplied by nuclear energy, making electricity production virtually emission-free. Sweden is also committed to climate protection when it comes to heat supply: efficient district heating systems use 97% biofuels and waste instead of fossil fuels.
In addition, Sweden relies on strict climate laws such as a high CO₂ tax, which encourages both companies and citizens to behave sustainably. Sweden thus remains on track to achieve its climate targets and shows that climate protection and economic growth are compatible. Close cooperation between government, business and society is crucial in order to jointly implement long-term and sustainable solutions.
Anne-Sophie Brändlin
💪 Challenge of the Week
Rethinking consumption in everyday life
In our daily lives, we consume a variety of goods—whether on the way to work, at the gym, or during dinner. Often, we're not even aware of how much we consume and what impact it has on the environment.
That's why we invite you to pay close attention to your personal consumption over the next few weeks and, where possible, to question and adjust your habits.
Here are a few ideas and suggestions:
- Before making a purchase, try sleeping on it for a night and reflecting on whether you truly need what you're about to buy.
- When shopping, consider bringing a reusable bag to avoid using paper bags at the store.
- You could also try making small purchases by bike or on foot to reduce emissions from car trips.
- Pay attention to which fruits and vegetables are in season and look for options that are locally sourced.
- Whenever possible, shop at a nearby store instead of ordering online.
- Replace disposable coffee cups on your commute with a reusable cup.
Many of these small changes can help transform your personal consumption and have a broader impact on societal consumption habits. By doing so, you can actively contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste, and saving energy—a crucial step toward a more sustainable future!
Thank you for reading KlimaGoodNews #62💚
We’re already looking forward to the next edition with positive news for a more sustainable shared future!