Climate rebellion in Schönau: EWS demands change for the future!

Climate rebellion in Schönau: EWS demands change for the future!

In an intensive discussion about climate protection, numerous EWS employees expressed their focus on a sustainable energy future. At the event, Boris Gotchev, climate protection officer, highlighted the worrying development of climate policy in the new federal government. Gotchev criticized the fact that climate protection had lost importance in the political agenda. What he finds particularly alarming is the construction of new gas-fired power plants, which he described as a step in the wrong direction.

The chairman of the supervisory board, Thomas Jorberg, gave a keynote speech that highlighted the connections between corporate vision and social responsibility. In the subsequent rounds of discussions about the future direction of the company, it became clear that EWS pursues a clear vision: promoting climate protection for a world worth living in. Sebastian Sladek, CEO of the company, underlined this approach and emphasized the need for a collaborative and renewable energy future.

Revolutionary approaches to climate protection

The EWS is committed to its goals with a clear stance both politically and socially. This occurs in the broader context of European climate policy, which aims to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce activities that are harmful to the environment and the climate. As the Federal Environment Agency describes, international climate protection agreements have a significant influence on current strategies, with the UN Framework Convention and the Paris Agreement particularly prominent. In 2020, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU amounted to around 3 million kilotons of CO₂ equivalents.

The distribution of these emissions shows that the energy sector with 26% and transport with 22% are the largest polluters. The EU has set ambitious goals, essentially summarized by the “A Clean Planet for All” initiative, published on November 18, 2018, aiming for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Economy meets climate policy

The discussion about climate targets is receiving additional impetus from the European Green Deal, which was passed in December 2019. This represents a growth strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. An integrated approach to energy supply security, increasing energy efficiency and decarbonization is pursued. National Energy and Climate Change Plans (NECPs) are now mandatory for member states, which must report their progress on emissions reductions and renewable energy.

In 2021, the EU climate law was passed, which establishes the legal enshrinement of greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050 and a reduction of 55% by 2030. In addition, the EU Commission recently put forward proposals to achieve a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 90% by 2040. The Fit for 55 initiative includes comprehensive policy and legislative proposals to implement these climate goals, complemented by the REPower EU package of measures aimed at accelerating the transition to clean energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.