Gastkommentar: Die Klimawende gelingt nicht nur mit immer mehr Subventionen

The ongoing summer in Europe has been marked by heat records and devastating wildfires. In France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Romania, and the Netherlands, over half a million hectares of forest have burned, resulting in long-term losses. Simultaneously, the war in the Middle East serves as a reminder of how fossil fuels are increasingly used as a geopolitical weapon.

These events highlight the urgent need for Europe to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and resources. The transformation of the climate is losing momentum, yet the primary issue is no longer a lack of technical solutions. Many climate-friendly technologies are either available or ready for the market. The larger challenge lies in creating sufficient demand for low-carbon products and materials.

Consequently, Europe requires not only an energy transition that increases independence from oil and gas but also a transformation of its raw material and material base. Renewable resources and green hydrogen can reduce emissions, strengthen supply security, and enhance the resilience of European value chains. The critical question now is how swiftly and competitively these solutions can be brought to market.