DW: Climate protection and national security are intertwined

The German government recognizes that climate and national security are interrelated. But so far this has not been enough to free Germany from dependence on Russian oil and gas.

The strength of the Russian occupation, financed by the sale of gas, coal and oil, shows that flexible and independent energy supply is a matter of national security. And that security is only possible if it does not rely on fossil fuels and volatile markets.

Dependence on Russian gas could finally end only in 2024. Until then, Russia will continue to be supplied with the financial means it needs to fight Ukraine. Russian state-owned concern Gazprom is Russia’s largest gas supplier and had record revenues last year. Russia’s oil revenues are even higher. According to Transport & Environment, Europe pays $ 285 million a day for Russian oil. Of that, $ 65 million is provided daily by Germany, Europe’s largest importer of Russian oil.

Addiction is incendiary

Stopping the flow of these cash flows would pose a major problem for Putin’s Russia and increase the effects of the US oil embargo. No other country in Europe is as dependent on Russian imports as Germany. Dependence on energy supplies from Russia prevents Germany from imposing tougher sanctions against Russia.

Sherri Goodman, expert on international security and climate change

Dependence on fossil fuels also multiplies existing security risks: The war threatens German energy security, risks creating a crisis of living costs, and raises doubts about the country’s long-term well-being. German dependence on Russian fuel imports acts as a fire accelerator in the Ukraine war and makes it difficult to end it.

The US will be a partner in diversifying energy supply, but short-term solutions should not seal future solutions to energy supply issues. The priority is to reduce the demand for gas without wasting time by increasing energy efficiency and to resolutely give up the use of fossil fuels.

These also reduce the major risks of climate change: from the floods, which have claimed several lives already in Germany, from the heat waves that hit Europe last summer. Climate change can foster social, political and economic tensions and can destabilize states even in countries where it does not directly cause conflict.

One must think and act ecologically

The EU Commission has already announced that it will reduce gas imports from Russia by two thirds this year. At the same time, it wants to raise and expand renewable energy, promote innovation in the clean energy sector and increase energy efficiency. The European Green Deal, can become the main driver of the exit from the crisis and alongside the pro-climate movement, can also find support in the military sector. The International Military Council on Climate and Security (IMCCS) has realized that the Green Deal will become the driving force behind international energy diplomacy. At the same time, we call on the EU to pursue a greater integration approach to security on climate issues: Combining development, diplomacy and security policy with climate protection funding is crucial to stabilization and peace. of endangered regions.

The road to energy supply without the use of fossils has begun, many hopeful signals are heard from Germany. The unprecedented investment of € 100 billion in security and defense, coupled with a further € 90 billion in climate protection (in addition to the € 110 billion already approved), are positive signals that Germany is aware that with investments for climate protection it invests simultaneously for peace and stability.

Determined reaction

The next step is to set in motion all the tools for energy conversion and foster innovation in sectors such as microgrids or the best technologies for batteries. Even if Germany spends a day on green energy, it will continue to need raw materials with limited reserves such as rare metals, which occupy a small but important place in energy-saving technologies. renewable. Careful consideration must be given to the ways in which conflicts and trade-offs endanger supply chains. And dependence on destructive energy suppliers must be reduced.

Transatlantic cooperation will play a crucial role. The U.S. leadership role in investing in green energy, as well as obtaining a majority for Joe Biden’s climate plans, will create market security, a prerequisite for raising wind and solar energy and technologies for the production of liquefied hydrogen by road. green.

And in assessing the security situation, NATO should address non-fossil fuels and carbon dioxide emissions as important pillars of global security. The war in Ukraine is a humanitarian catastrophe and clearly shows Putin’s Russia’s dangers to the world. A determined response by Germany to end Russia’s dependence on fossil fuels could be the catalyst for progress towards greater geopolitical security and climate change in Europe and the world.

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