This week, Angela Merkel hosted the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in the run-up to COP26. Germany has now officially strengthened its climate targets. Pressure mounted over the Chancellor to double Germany’s climate finance pledge, but for now, the EU’s top economy doesn’t plan to contribute more to the global solidarity package. US President, Joe Biden announced his support for lifting vaccine patent protections to increase global production, providing more access to jabs for the Global South. Angela Merkel rejected the initiative of the US. The EU remains open for discussion. COVID19 and vaccine support, along with the need for increased climate finance pledges, are expected to be this month’s key focuses of global climate diplomacy.
VACCINES & CLIMATE CRISIS
Global vaccine crisis sends ominous signal for fighting climate change
Global Vaccine Crisis Sends Ominous Signal for Fighting Climate Change
The gap between rich and poor countries on vaccinations highlights the failure of richer nations to see it in their self-interest to urgently help poorer ones fight a shared crisis.
The Biden administration says it will support lifting patent protections to help produce more vaccines globally
The Biden administration says it will support lifting patent protections to help produce more ...
The move was a breakthrough for international efforts to suspend patent rules as the pandemic rages in India and South America.
EU ready to discuss COVID vaccine patent waiver, says von der Leyen
EU ready to 'discuss' coronavirus vaccine patent waivers | DW | 06.05.2021
Ursula von der Leyen has said the bloc is ready to hold talks over a US-backed proposal to waive patents on COVID-19 vaccines. The Commission had been resisting such calls for months.
Angela Merkel rejects US move to waive patents on vaccines
Angela Merkel rejects U.S. move to waive vaccine patents - Eminetra
Angela Merkel opposes Biden’s proposal Suspend intellectual property rights The Covid-19 vaccine is said to have a “serious impact” on vaccine production worldwide. The German Chancellor said the limiting factor for vaccine supply was “capacity and high quality standards, not patents.” ...
PETERSBERG SUMMIT
Rich nations’ climate targets will mean global heating of 2.4C – study
Rich nations’ climate targets will mean global heating of 2.4C – study
Rise is a 0.2C improvement on previous forecast but still substantially above goal of Paris climate agreement
Germany targets more ambitious 2045 net zero emission goal
Germany raises ambition to net zero by 2045 after landmark court ruling
A surprise plan to strengthen Germany's emission targets reignites debate on quitting coal and pricing carbon ahead of September's election
Global carbon pricing system would be desirable, Merkel says
Merkel pushes for carbon pricing 'worldwide' at final climate conference | DW | 06.05.2021
Expectations were high for Angela Merkel as she spoke one last time at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue. But her speech promoting carbon pricing and "international solidarity" left climate experts disappointed.
