Today, in the presence of German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, a dynamic, new organisation dedicated to accelerating the world’s response to climate change will be launched in Germany. The Climate Group is focused on telling the world what is being done to reduce emissions; how to do it; how much it costs and what the business benefits are. To do this, The Climate Group is creating a community of people and organizations to be leaders in this huge, global challenge.

Launched internationally by British Prime Minister, Tony Blair in April, The Climate Group is now poised to acknowledge and galvanize leaders on climate change reduction in Germany.

The UK and German governments are already global leaders on this issue. Berlin is the ideal setting for the German launch of The Climate Group because the city has already embarked on far-reaching measures to reduce its emissions. Ms. Maria Krautzberger, State Secretary for Environment and Transport, City of Berlin said, “Climate change is the most important environmental issue facing the world today and in the future. This is an issue that must be addressed whatever our current financial, social or political situation. I welcome the launch of The Climate Group in Germany and look forward to collaborating with it further. The City of Berlin wholly supports its objective of leadership and collaboration.”

The Climate Group is a unique, global organisation bringing together, for the first time, leading corporations; financial institutions; civil organisations; and state city and national governments that will work together to accelerate greenhouse gas emission reductions. By pooling the knowledge of leading reducers of CO2 emissions, and creating an arena for a formal exchange for ideas and practical experience, The Climate Group is fast becoming a catalyst for accelerating progress.

Germany’s pioneering achievements on climate change have resulted in a 19.4% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions between 1990 and 2003 and a doubling of renewable energy share since 1993.

Over the next few months, The Climate Group in Germany will be:

Pooling and sharing best practice information on how to reduce emissions by leading companies; municipalities and federal and state government;

Providing vital information to support Germany to accelerate its move towards a carbon free economy by providing a shared platform with other leading reducers from around the world.

The Climate Group Chief Executive, Dr Steve Howard said, “Climate change is real and there is no single solution for solving it. The Climate Group is looking beyond Kyoto, which is a first step in driving reductions. We know that the German Government - state and federal - and many leading German companies are dedicated to meeting or exceeding those targets. By bringing the key players together in Germany, we believe that Germany can help the world turn the corner on climate change.”

Original press release: The Climate Group Holds German Launch (The Climate Group)