New German development minister to highlight climate in cooperation with global South

In the context of the formation of Germany’s new government, former environment minister Svenja Schulze moves on to lead the country’s development ministry (BMZ), replacing conservative CSU politician Gerd Müller. At her inauguration, the Social Democrat (SPD) Schulze said she would carry her expertise in international climate action and the effects of global warming on countries around the world to her new position, calling the fight against the climate crisis “a priority for the entire government and of course also the BMZ.” She said the effects of climate change “are much more dramatic in countries of the global South than they are here.” Combatting global warming could only work if developing and emerging countries are enabled to become wealthier without burning coal, oil and gas. Together with creating better working conditions in poor countries, this would be a key field for curbing the causes of migration and conflict. “We need cooperation and social-ecological progress at the bilateral, European and multilateral levels. Our G7 presidency next year offers a special chance for that,” Schulze said.

The new German government coalition of SPD, Green Party and the Free Democrats (FDP) has promised to make the fight against global warming a priority for all relevant branches of government, including foreign policy. Apart from helping poorer countries to adapt to climate change effects and avoid emissions-heavy development paths, Germany hopes to enter in trade relationships with many countries of the global South to secure access to valuable resources for modern technologies as well as renewable power production capacities to import green hydrogen.