Prof. Hirschl gives keynote speech at New Year's reception of environmental associations

The New Year's reception of the environmental organisations BUND, NABU and Klimabündnis brought together many members and representatives of the three associations with other invited guests from politics, civil society and science. In his presentation, Prof. Hirschl took on the task of providing a climate policy assessment of current developments in the state of Brandenburg after the welcoming speeches by the organisers. He included the current global situation as well as the climate policy successes and shortcomings of the last legislative period. As the main author of the examiner's report for the climate plan, he described the importance of this document for Brandenburg, which contains many measures, some of which have been watered down (compared to the examiner's recommendations), as well as the interim and sector targets, which are very important for practical implementation in all departments. As the sector targets were derived directly from the climate neutrality scenario relevant for Brandenburg, it is crucial that they are met through correspondingly effective measures. All those with an interest in achieving the climate policy goals must bear this in mind.

Finally, Prof. Hirschl praised the new government's coalition agreement, which on the one hand contains some important - not necessarily expected - confirmations regarding the continuation of the energy transition, the further expansion of renewable energies and the announced implementation of the climate plan. On the other hand, it also mentions important prerequisites for this, such as social compatibility and affordability, the use of renewable energy locally and the general reference to sustainability. According to Prof. Hirschl, it will be important not to develop contradictions here, but to work with the coalition partners to develop solutions that bring together the socio-economic goals of the agreement with the goals of the energy transition and climate neutrality. Prof. Hirschl believes that this is an entirely solvable distribution and design task for politicians, which Brandenburg must tackle together with the federal level. Following Prof. Hirschl's impulse, State Secretary for Economic Affairs Dr Friederike Haase gave a welcome address from the state government, in which she also took up Prof. Hirschl's impulse as an inspiration for her political work.