Dear reader,
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping probably have little in common politically.
This week, however, they agreed on one thing: the big start to the world climate conference, at which heads of state and government from more than 100 countries spoke on Monday and Tuesday, can safely be left out.
This is not only regrettable because the American and Chinese Presidents would have been the most important guests.
But also because all the other invitees could now automatically ask themselves whether their coming is time well invested if the big decision-makers decide not to come.
As is well known, the new British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was only ready to board the plane to Sharm al-Sheikh after massive public criticism.
In addition, these opening statements by the powerful lend the necessary impetus to the negotiations at the factual level, and weighty voices accordingly provide a special boost.
The 27th World Climate Conference could use that.
So far, the negotiations have been rather tough, and there have not yet been any major breakthroughs to report after just under a week.
The greatest success is that, for the first time, reparations payments to poorer countries for the climate damage (»loss and damage«) for which industrialized countries are mainly responsible are being specifically discussed at a climate summit.
What will come of this is of course still open.
After all, the first states are showing their willingness to provide funds for such a compensation mechanism.
Money is the most important topic at this COP, the USA and China are decisive here - also because they play completely different roles.
The United States, by far the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, has the greatest responsibility for providing financial support, and the government is not (or no longer) opposed to it in principle.
Joe Biden originally wanted to contribute eleven billion US dollars annually.
But firstly, given the American share of global emissions, 40 billion would be the right number.
Second, Biden will probably not be able to pay even the smaller amount because Republicans should have more options after the midterms to deny him the budget funds.
And China?
The metamorphosis of the giant empire into the second largest economy in the world leads to contradictions in climate policy that can hardly be bridged.
Not long ago, Beijing could rightly join the ranks of the developing world and demand leadership and financial support from the industrialized countries in dealing with the climate crisis.
As the class representative of the poorer countries, China has long had a fixed role at the COPs.
In the meantime, however, Beijing has also historically become the second largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world and has to be asked by countries in Africa, for example, why only America and Europe should be responsible for the resulting damage.
Because the dictatorship of Xi Jinping is reluctant to be asked questions and even more reluctant to give answers,
And that's where China and the USA fortunately differ: On Friday, Joe Biden is coming to Egypt - blatantly late, but still.
And speaks.
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The most important texts of the climate conference
Polluters should pay for climate damage: China ducks away
For the first time, countries are negotiating who should pay for damage caused by climate change.
China used to be on the side of the victims - now it is the biggest emitter of CO₂.
The new role leads to contradictions.
Controversial sponsors: The climate rescuers rely on these climate hypocrites.
Instead of water, there's coke, air conditioning let the negotiators freeze in the desert - and the journey is actually only possible by plane: The climate conference fails in its own claim to take action against ecological lies.
Olaf Scholz in Egypt: Realpolitiker.
No climate chancellor
The chancellor traveled to the climate conference with money – and with a promise to meet the climate targets.
The question of how that should work if Germany is investing in new gas production at the same time?
He doesn't answer.
Project Climate Trace: How much greenhouse gases the world really emits
Many countries are tight-lipped when it comes to their actual emissions of gases that are harmful to the climate.
A new initiative now wants to find out about them and has recalculated emissions – allegedly down to the power plant.
Day three at the World Climate Conference in Egypt: UN Secretary-General criticizes "greenwashing" in the oil and gas industry
António Guterres has accused the oil and coal industry of deliberately whitewashing their devastating climate balance sheets.
The Ukrainian President also spoke at the conference in Sharm al-Sheikh: via video message.
Delayed measures: Germany's five major areas of climate protection
While the German delegation at the summit in Egypt is trying to persuade other states to do more, important projects at home have been left undone for months.
Where there is a particular problem.
Ex-Environment Minister of Panama on deception with CO₂ rights: "This is fraud on climate protection and on consumers"
Many supermarket products advertise with the label "climate neutral".
But it is not uncommon for windy business practices to be behind it.
An expert explains how lax rules are being exploited in the carbon markets.
COP27 in Sharm al-Sheikh: What's at stake at the climate conference
War, the energy crisis and inflation are on people's minds in Germany - probably more than a climate summit in Africa.
There is a lot at stake here, including for us.
And there is reason for hope.
Focus on Africa
Why our future is also being decided in Africa: green energy – or a fossil El Dorado?
They want to develop new gas and oil fields - despite the climate crisis.
At the same time, African countries are building huge solar and wind parks.
Why it matters to all of us which path the continent takes.
Solar power from Morocco: the pioneers
Hardly any other country does as much for the climate as Morocco, which relies on solar power.
And hardly anyone is as optimistic about the future as Manal Bidar, 19 - she is the Greta Thunberg of the country.
Which gives her hope.
South Africa's dependence on coal: the junkie
Germany and other rich countries want to dissuade the country on the Cape from coal with billions in loans.
But now German utilities are buying en masse there themselves.
»Bigot!«, South Africa's government rants - and has new kilns built.
Natural gas from Senegal: the supplier
Suddenly Europe wants something from Africa: France, Italy, Poland, Portugal and Germany are vying for natural gas from Senegal.
The country is now dreaming of big money – rightly so?
stay confident
Yours, Kurt Stukenberg