Wednesday October 27, 2021
Speech at IGBCE Congress
Baerbock accepts gas as a bridge
At the federal congress of the trade union IGBCE, the traffic light negotiators give each other the handle. According to Scholz, Green leader Baerbock speaks – twice as long and passionately as the possible future chancellor.
Green chairwoman Annalena Baerbock has campaigned for decisive steps towards climate neutrality at the Mining, Chemical and Energy Union (IGBCE). “Our aim is nothing else: to shape Europe as the first climate-neutral continent in the next few years and thus to secure the prosperity and also the industrial location of Europe”, she said at the federal congress of the union in Hanover to the applause of the delegates.
Decisive steps in the expansion of renewable energies are necessary for this, according to Baerbock, whose party is currently negotiating with the SPD and FDP about the formation of a traffic light coalition. Her appearance was the first major speech since the explorations began. Before her, SPD Chancellor candidate Olaf Scholz had already spoken, who had promised to help industry to become climate neutral. At 30 minutes, Baerbock spoke about twice as long as Scholz. The chairmen of the FDP and CDU, Christian Lindner and Armin Laschet are expected as further speakers.
Baerbock emphasized that for the coming “decade of modernization” it was necessary to fill in old trenches and to have the courage to agree with others and to say goodbye to “stereotyped black and white thinking”. In line with this, she admitted that gas cannot initially be dispensed with for the energy transition. “Yes, you need gas for the transition. I say that here as a Green,” said Baerbock. Climate activists are critical of gas because, although it burns cleaner than coal, it is still a fossil fuel that releases CO2.
“Don’t fool around”
An earlier coal phase-out is only possible if there is electricity from renewable energies around the clock. “The key to transformation” lies in expanding them. She pointed out that the exploratory paper stipulated that two percent of the country’s area should be designated for wind turbines and that solar systems should be built on all suitable new roofs.
The Greens chairman argued passionately for a greater commitment of Germany in the European Union. The next federal government should “stop fumbling around” with the “Green Deal” of the EU, with the help of which the continent is to become climate neutral by 2050, said Baerbock, but rather become the “driving force”. The greatest strength of Europe is the internal market, which needs to be strengthened. “Only together as Europeans can we win the global system competition.” Baerbock, who is being traded as a possible future foreign minister, spoke out in favor of making imports into the EU dependent on climate-neutral production. Dumping and subsidy guidelines should also apply to China, said Baerbock.
Baerbock also went into detail on how the welfare state could be reformed and strengthened. “In the care sector in particular, we have to do something in the next few years,” she said. The compatibility of work and family should also improve. She also pleaded for a new immigration law, also to combat the shortage of skilled workers.