While countries around the world are contemplating how to “reopen” after the Corona-induced lock downs, this week saw a two-day virtual climate summit in which world leaders called for solutions to the pandemic that address climate change. Known as the “Petersberg Climate Dialogue”, the event took place for the 11th time, this year as a video conference. High ranking government officials from 35 countries discussed solutions to the climate crisis.
Frans Timmermans, EU Commissioner for the “European Green Deal” called for linking economic recovery measures in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis to the green and digital transitions in Europe. In a tweet ahead of the conference, Timmermans stated that “the European Green Deal is a growth strategy and a winning strategy.” Addressing the Petersberg Dialogue, German chancellor Angela Merkel called on governments to focus on climate protection in their designs of fiscal stimulus recovery measures. Merkel also got behind the EU Commission’s goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.
Meanwhile, oil prices have plummeted to unprecedented lows. While this may seem detrimental to efforts aiming at strengthening renewable sources of energy, analysts expect the current oil price drop to cause only a blip in the more widespread adoption of renewables. Together with what seems a stronger climate protection commitment from political actors in Europe in the wake of the corona crisis, this could contribute to an optimistic outlook for the fight against climate change.