As of: March 14, 2024, 6:57 p.m
By: Sonja Ruf
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The German Ethics Council has presented its statement on the topic of “climate justice” – an appeal to the state to live up to its responsibilities.
Berlin – The German Ethics Council presented a groundbreaking statement on “climate justice” on Wednesday.
He appeals to the state, and in this case specifically to the German government, that it is ultimately responsible for taking fair measures against the dramatically fast-moving climate crisis.
The council consists of 26 members from various scientific disciplines.
Alena Buyx, medical ethicist and university lecturer, has chaired it since 2020.
Measures that the Ethics Council specifically recommends for German politics are aimed at a high CO₂ price.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,
the council could
imagine a flat-rate “per capita reimbursement from CO₂ pricing” for each individual.
This mechanism, also known colloquially as climate money, could provide well-intentioned compensation and thus contribute to climate justice within society.
Alena Buyx, Chairwoman of the German Ethics Council, at the federal press conference on the Council's statement on climate justice on March 13, 2024. © Imago/Future Image
Political tools: A high CO₂ price, climate money and international partnerships
Germany could increasingly play its role internationally as a leading nation in climate protection issues and, through agreements, involve as many government partners as possible in an all-encompassing international climate policy.
However, in a separate vote, three of the 26 members of the Ethics Council also expressed doubts about whether Germany could achieve so much on the international stage.
A frequently discussed question in many social circles when discussing effective climate policy measures is the role of collective and individual responsibility and which should be given greater weight in the fight against the climate crisis.
The Ethics Council states in its statement that “the state should not demand a lower-emission lifestyle and consumption” as long as the existing social and economic order does not yet meet the requirements for this.
In the area of climate policy, individuals have a moral obligation to reflect on their behavior
However, the behavior of the individual in this area is still extremely important.
According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung,
the council calls this
an “individual moral obligation to cooperate” in its report.
This includes consciously considering and reflecting on one's own behavior, consumption and its effects against the background of scientific developments around oneself and their increasing speed.
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The Council also underlines the importance of so-called intergenerational justice: “If your own exercise of freedom unjustly interferes with the freedom and well-being of others, including future generations, for example through consumption that is harmful to the climate, the state can intervene with restrictions on freedom,” write the members of the Council .
Conflicts could inevitably arise here, because all areas have to be taken into account for effective climate policy.
Intersocial justice is important, especially for those particularly affected by the climate crisis
Finally, in its report, the Council underlines the need for state protection of those who are most affected by the consequences of the climate crisis.
Those severely affected by the climate crisis must not be pitted against those less affected, either individually or by the state.