The BDI Is Not Doing Germany A Good Service
The BDI Is Not Doing Germany A Good Service

Video: The BDI Is Not Doing Germany A Good Service

Video: The BDI Is Not Doing Germany A Good Service
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Sabine Nallinger is a board member of the 2 ° Foundation. In an interview with Autogazette, she talks about the BDI's climate study, the necessary incentives for a traffic turnaround and why an ambitious climate protection goal is required for a world worth living in.

For Sabine Nallinger from the "Foundation 2 ° - German Entrepreneurs for Climate Protection", the Federation of German Industries (BDI) is not serious about achieving the climate protection targets by 2050. “In order to achieve the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, we must achieve a 95 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The BDI, however, is only aiming for 80 percent and does not make any statements on sector targets. I miss the seriousness a bit, »said Nallinger in an interview with Autogazette.

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Must meet the 2 degree target

“If we want to keep the earth livable for people and future generations, then we have to adhere to the 2 degree target. For this we need the 95 percent. There's nothing to discuss there,”said Nallinger, adding. “The BDI is not doing Germany a good service if it only targets the 80 percent reduction. The point is that Germany is a pioneer in international comparison, that our economy brings innovative products onto the market. For this we need ambitious targets and a reduction target of 80 percent is not ambitious enough."

The studied urban, traffic and environmental planner has been a board member of the 2 ° Foundation since September 2014. Its members include corporations such as Deutsche Bahn, Otto Group, Puma and Deutsche Telekom. Nallinger also sits for Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen in Munich's city council and is a member of the main committee of the German Association of Cities.

I miss something serious

Autogazette: Ms. Nallinger, are you currently very disappointed with the Federation of German Industries?

Sabine Nallinger: First of all, I think it's great that the BDI has commissioned a comprehensive climate study. This shows that climate protection has arrived in business.

Autogazette: After presenting the BDI's climate study, do you have the impression that the industry wants to make its contribution to achieving the climate protection targets by 2050?

Nallinger: In order to achieve the goal of the Paris Climate Agreement, we have to achieve a 95 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The BDI is only aiming for 80 percent and does not make any statements on sector targets. I miss the seriousness a bit.

We have to adhere to the 95 percent

A reduction in CO2 is required to meet the climate protection goals. Photo: dpa
A reduction in CO2 is required to meet the climate protection goals. Photo: dpa

Autogazette: The BDI described the 80 percent as ambitious and the 95 percent as overambitious. Is that you?

Nallinger: We have to keep the 95 percent. If we want to keep the earth worth living for people and future generations, then we have to adhere to the 2 degree goal. For this we need the 95 percent. There is absolutely nothing to discuss.

Autogazette: Does Germany have to be a pioneer in climate policy and feel committed to such ambitious goals as 95 percent greenhouse gas emissions?

Nallinger: The BDI is not doing Germany a good service if it only targets the 80 percent reduction. The point is that Germany is a pioneer in international comparison, that our economy brings innovative products onto the market. To do this, we need ambitious targets and a reduction target of 80 percent is not ambitious enough.

Autogazette: Is the BDI too backward-looking when it comes to climate policy?

Nallinger: There is still room for significant improvement in climate protection. I think that one of the aims of the BDI's climate study was to promote internal discussion among companies within the BDI. You did that and that is also important.

We are seeing a flourishing economy

Autogazette: The BDI has warned Germany against going it alone in energy and climate policy and spoke of production relocations. Does industrial policy take precedence over climate policy here?

Nallinger: I assume that there are also different opinions in the BDI. There are also companies at BDI that are not moving fast enough when it comes to climate protection. These companies want their products to be at the forefront of the world market. German products not only have a quality bonus, they are also future-oriented and innovative. I assume that the BDI had to align itself with the slowest companies. That is why the study turned out so.

Autogazette: How real do you think the outlined scenario of relocation of production is?

A quick exit from coal is needed for the climate
A quick exit from coal is needed for the climate

Nallinger: The high energy costs and the Renewable Energies Act with its high levies are repeatedly warned. But what do we see? We see a flourishing economy in Germany. While the EEG was being introduced and while the EEG was in effect, it achieved further growth rates. Apparently the energy transition has not harmed us.

Autogazette: Do companies with a high energy requirement even have to complain? Many are exempt from the EEG surcharge.

Nallinger: A large part of industry is exempt from the EEG surcharge. By the way, far more than was originally planned. When it comes to energy costs, we are now in the lower third of the European comparison. The energy transition did not mean that Germany as an industrial and business location suffered as a result.

Today the automotive industry is at a turning point

Autogazette: For the companies of the 2 ° Foundation, competitiveness and an ambitious climate policy are not mutually exclusive. Are these companies the exception?

Nallinger: The alliance of companies that deal with the issue of climate protection is growing all the time. There are more and more companies saying that we have to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. If you don't, we miss out on competitive advantages. German products should continue to be regarded not only as high quality, but also as modern, innovative and future-oriented - a new "Made in Germany".

Autogazette: … competitiveness and climate protection cannot be separated from each other …

Nallinger: … absolutely. The companies that have come together in the 2 ° Foundation see this as an opportunity. If we see these two aspects as a contradiction, we have disadvantages. Just take a look at the energy transition: there were enough companies that did not face the facts. They had to pay a price for it. Today the automotive industry is at such a turning point; she has to move.

Companies need clear framework conditions

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Autogazette: How do you rate the adaptability of the auto industry?

Nallinger: In a transformation process like this, politics and business must play together. Since politicians do not set clear guidelines and leave companies alone, manufacturers have different strategies. Companies need clear framework conditions that are communicated in good time so that they can adapt to them. They have to be clear and reliable and also give companies the appropriate lead.

Autogazette: How satisfied are you currently with the strategy of the German automaker on the way to electromobility?

Nallinger: There is no such thing as the auto industry. Every large corporation has its own strategy. For me, BMW is furthest ahead here with its e-mobility concept like the i3. Almost all manufacturers are now announcing that they will electrify their models. Let's wait and see: so far it has been announcements.

Autogazette: Is BMW for you a role model for other car manufacturers?

Nallinger: For me, the BMW Group was the most serious about this issue and has developed a new vehicle concept. Others have taken an existing body and only installed an electric motor there.

Autogazette: How come that no car manufacturer or energy supplier supports the 2 ° Foundation?

Nallinger: We want to represent the spectrum of the economy. We have succeeded in doing this in many industries. We are in good conversation with the auto industry and energy companies.

What is German climate policy?

Autogazette: Germany has just adopted the 2020 climate protection target, which provided for a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases compared to 1990. Against this background, how ambitious is German climate policy?

Nallinger: What is German climate policy? We have the Climate Protection Plan 2050, which certainly offers a good basis. But if you look at the exploratory talks, then climate protection was not as important as it should have been. But I am confident that the issue of climate protection will receive a higher priority in the coalition talks.

Autogazette: A fifth of all CO2 emissions are caused by the transport sector. In your opinion, does this sector have a special significance among the sectors?

Nallinger: The transport sector is the area where we have not made any progress. It is the area where we finally have to go. We have to achieve mobility that is virtually emission-free.

We should also think about a quota

Autogazette: Against this background, do we need a registration ban for combustion engines from 2030, as the Greens are calling for?

Nallinger: As a matter of principle, I don't find bans the best way to go. Countries with a quota have already converted their fleets to electric vehicles. That is why a quota is a useful tool on the way to sustainable mobility. We should also think about a quota in Germany.

Autogazette: So you are in favor of an electric quota that will be introduced in China from 2019?

Nallinger: Before there are driving bans in cities and we discuss licensing bans, we should talk about how we can electrify our vehicle fleet quickly. If I can plan with a quota, I can also plan the infrastructure better.

Autogazette: Even the purchase premium could not have contributed to the run on electric cars. Do you have an explanation for this?

Nallinger: Currently there are still the costs and, for many customers, the range.

Need pricing for energy and space consumption

Greenpeace protest against dirty diesel. Photo: dpa
Greenpeace protest against dirty diesel. Photo: dpa

Autogazette: With a view to the turnaround in traffic, are you pleased with the discussion about diesel driving bans ?

Nallinger: Happy, no. But if we want to get into electric mobility, we need an e-quota, a pricing for energy and space consumption. Because we also have a space problem in cities. With a city toll and parking fees, more environmentally friendly cars have to be favored. At the same time, local public transport and cycling must be made fit.

Autogazette: Among other things, Berlin wants to expand the cycle path network. Can Berlin set an example for large German cities with its transport policy?

Nallinger: Other cities are looking very closely at what Berlin is doing. I come from Munich myself - and Munich has long been the cycling capital. Munich is just out of place here. With the Mobility Act, which is supposed to exist in Berlin, new paths are being taken by separating car and bicycle traffic a little. Now it is a matter of dividing the area fairly.

Autogazette: What are your demands for future transport policy?

Nallinger: It is a poor testimony that we in the transport sector have not made any progress with our climate protection goals. The right concepts are in place. The economy is currently waiting for the right signals to come from politics. People are ready: they want to change. They no longer want to be out and about in their old fossil vehicles that pollute the air. To do this, we need the quota and other incentive systems such as the mineral oil tax.

The interview with Sabine Nallinger was conducted by Frank Mertens

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