With its rapid economic growth and its rapidly growing energy hunger, the People's Republic of China plays a central role in international climate policy. The emerging economy is now the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases. At least at the national level, the Chinese government has declared its intention to fight climate change. China implemented a series of measures on energy efficiency, energy saving and renewable energies and was able to reduce energy intensity of its economy by 20% in the past five years (according to own data). This is in line with the last five-year plan. The country also is the world's biggest producer of wind turbines and solar cells. But despite these successes and despite still moderate per capita emissions, China's total energy consumption and emissions continue to rise rapidly.

<p>&#13; Germans fear that climate change harms political stability in other countries and thus affect trade, induce migration, and ultimately causes conflict. Talking to a delegation from China, R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute describes Germany's new energy solutions, effective domestic policies, and promotion of good climate policy abroad.</p>&#13;

<p>&#13; Successive policy challenges and EU enlargement have added layers of policy, legislation, and institutions to create the current European system for addressing environment, climate, energy, and sustainable development. R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute speak on policy international policy learning before a GIZ delegation from China in.</p>&#13;

Fukushima has been a painful reminder that each energy source has its drawbacks, and none comes without side effects. To realise our ambitious climate objectives, we must above all stop wasting energy and use energy in a much smarter and more efficient way. This is not a new insight, but turning this insight into action has proven remarkably difficult. How the existing obstacles to energy efficiency can be overcome, and which initiatives have worked successfully for Germany and the UK so far, was the topic of a discussion event at the UK Embassy in Berlin, moderated by Benjamin Görlach, Senior Fellow at Ecologic Institute.

<p> Europe can shift to a low-carbon economy, enjoy secure energy supply, environmentally sustainable development, and rising employment.&nbsp; On 10 March 2011, the European Commission presented its &quot;Roadmap 2050&quot; in Berlin, Germany, exposing divisions within the German Federal Government.&nbsp; R. Andreas Kraemer of Ecologic Institute moderated the event.</p>

At an event hosted by the Mexican Embassy, Dr. Camilla Bausch of Ecologic Institute and Secretary Miriam Medel of the Mexican Embassy in Berlin discussed the results of the latest international climate negotiations which were held in Cancún, Mexico, end of 2010. The event was opened by the Mexican Ambassador Francisco N. González Diaz. The dialogue was initiated by Ecologic Institute's Ecoscholars.

Sandra Cavalieri, Fellow and Arctic Programme Coordinator at Ecologic Institute, spoke to decision-makers, scientists and industry experts on the environmental impacts of Arctic Shipping at the Symposium on Arctic shipping held at the Canadian Embassy in Berlin on 22 February. The presentation is available for download.

During the "E-World" event in Essen, Ecologic Institute's Wolfgang Urban gave a speech on the role of biomethan for the Federal Government's Energy Concept 2050. After shortly introducing the use options of biomethan, he presented political goals in this field, especially the Energy Concept 2050. In addition, he highlighted the possible contribution of biomethan to the achievement of these goals. Wolfgang Urban concluded his speech with suggestions for incentive tools regarding power and heat. The presentation slides are available for download.