As the end of the world's hottest year on record approaches, the German government has adopted a comprehensive strategy for its foreign climate policy.
The 74-page paper, approved by Germany's Cabinet on Wednesday, describes combating the climate crisis and its fatal consequences as a "central task of humanity this century."
The strategy states that global warming is already endangering human lives in many places in the world, and will exacerbate existing inequalities and conflicts over the distribution of resources. The paper also foresees increased migration as people flee the effects of climate change and ensuing conflicts.
German government officials described the strategy document as a pioneering approach. Jennifer Morgan, a top German official in charge of climate action, described it "the most comprehensive strategy worldwide" in remarks at the United Nations climate conference in Dubai.
Morgan said the strategy also creates more transparency around goals.
The report commits Germany to "do everything in its power" to achieve the climate goals set in Paris in 2015 of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
To achieve this, global emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases must be almost halved by 2030 compared to 2019, it says. Germany also aims to accelerate the global energy transition in order to "gradually" phase out fossil fuels including coal, oil and gas - unless the emissions can be captured and stored.
The phase-out of fossil fuels is a central point of contention at the current UN conference in Dubai, known as COP28. While more than 100 countries have supported a formal commitment to do so, a number are opposed - including oil-rich countries like Saudi Arabia.
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