Long-term climate protection requires a long-term energy transition roadmap
Bremerhaven, 30 April 2020. WAB e.V. welcomes the announcement by German Chancellor Angela Merkel to support a more ambitious EU climate target for 2030 and encourages the German government to present a long-term roadmap for the energy transition.
In her speech at the "Petersberg Climate Dialogue" earlier this week, the Chancellor spoke out in favour of reducing CO2 emissions in the European Union by 50 to 55 percent compared to 1990. Currently, the EU targets a reduction of only 40 percent. A "comprehensive package of measures" was necessary for the higher target, Merkel said.
"We very much welcome the fact that our Chancellor firmly stands behind the European Green Deal and is committed to a more ambitious EU climate target for 2030. WAB e.V. is ready for an open dialogue on how this more ambitious target for the coming decade can also be implemented in Germany," said WAB CEO Irina Lucke.
In order to provide the appropriate support, the Wind Industry Innovation Cluster will soon present a list of the most important points of action with which the domestic wind industry can continue to provide cost-effective climate protection and employment.
"For our long-term climate protection goals, we need above all a long-term roadmap for the energy transition and a national hydrogen strategy adopted without delay," said WAB Managing Director Heike Winkler. "Innovative small and medium-sized companies, the pioneers in the industry, will in particular benefit from this," explained Heike Winkler.
Under the given conditions, the current COVID 19 crisis is also a major challenge for the wind industry and its jobs. With higher climate protection targets for 2030 and a long-term roadmap for energy system transformation, the Federal Government would seize the opportunity to provide immediate and sustainable employment and an impetus for investment in climate protection measures. The more ambitious targets for the expansion of offshore wind energy and the availability of sites for onshore wind will help to exploit their potential as the backbone of the energy transition. This is also conducive to the demand for "green" hydrogen. In combination, this will help the on- and offshore wind industry to competitively master the current challenge posed by COVID-19.
The expansion of on- and offshore wind is therefore an ideal driver of sustainable economic recovery and a key to a climate-friendly industrial policy, alongside the development of a domestic market for "green" hydrogen.
Picture: (c) Trianel Windpark Borkum
About WAB e.V.:
Bremerhaven-based WAB is the nationwide contact partner for the offshore wind industry in Germany and the leading business network for onshore wind energy in the north-west region. The association fosters the production of “green” hydrogen from wind energy. It comprises some 250 smaller and larger businesses as well as institutes from all sectors of the wind industry, the maritime industry as well as Research.
Contact:
Hans-Dieter Sohn | Senior Communications and Marketing Manager WAB e.V. | +49 173 2382802 | hans.sohn@wab.net
