With the Egyptian COP presidency, negotiations are making hardly any progress. Text proposals come late and disappoint the expectations of many countries. The controversial leadership style of COP President Sameh Shoukry makes political agreement difficult.
By Lukas Knigge
Expectations were high when China's climate envoy made a surprise appearance at a plenary session of the Global Methane Pledge. But the largest methane emitter did not sign the Pledge. A year after Glasgow, there are still many gaps in efforts to reduce methane emissions.
By Nico Beckert
In addition to more reliable trading partners and more mining in Europe, the development of a circular economy in particular should secure the EU's supply of critical raw materials. At Raw Materials Week in Brussels this week, the word was out from all sides: Recycling is the solution – but the industry is not yet ready.
By Leonie Düngefeld
At COP27, Brazil's future president promised greater forest protection. Yet the country is to remain an agricultural power. Ecosystem scientist Friedrich Bohn explains how this could be achieved.
By Alexandra Endres
The biggest point of contention at COP is the structure and financing of losses and damages. Between the extreme positions of "decide everything immediately" and "just decide to talk," there must be a middle ground for a compromise. The solution could possibly lie in just one sentence.
By Bernhard Pötter
The EU Commission is currently creating the internal structures to enforce the new competition rules for digital groups. Informal talks with the companies are already underway. There is little room left for national competition regulators.
By Till Hoppe
In his first ten years in office, Xi Jinping built a network of party commissions and working groups with which he manages the government's work. The party thus further strengthens its control over the state.
By Christiane Kuehl
The meeting between Foreign Ministers Wang Yi and Sergey Lavrov was emphatically cordial. Those who had hoped for criticism from China were left disappointed.
By Redaktion Table
Member states are to increase excise taxes on tobacco and tobacco-related products sharply. In Germany, the minimum tax on cigarettes would double, and on cigars and cigarillos, it would increase by a factor of nine. The Commission's proposal is due on Dec. 7.
By Markus Grabitz
After COP is before COP. The UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) will start in early December. Just like the Paris Agreement for the climate, a framework for nature conservation will be negotiated in Montreal. The experience gained in Paris could help the negotiators in this process.
By Lukas Knigge
