35 years after the fall of the Wall: United, but not united in everything Documentation The fall of the Berlin Wall and the Peaceful Revolution in the GDR made reunification possible. But the gap between East and West remains. A conversation with historian Ilko-Sascha Kowalczuk, political scientist Judith Enders and city councillor Paul Löser about fears of loss, populism and the power of positive narratives. By Nicole Sagener
UN climate talks could undermine precaution on geoengineering called for by the biodiversity convention Analysis UNFCCC negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement risk legitimising dangerous Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) schemes and undermining precautionary work being undertaken in other UN fora. By Linda Schneider and Silvia Ribeiro
CBD COP16 in Colombia: Focus on the future of biodiversity Commentary The 16th UN conference on biodiversity in Colombia faces the challenge of delivering results for the conservation of biological diversity. In addition to financing strategies, measures to protect biodiversity and ecosystems are urgently needed. By Evelyn Hartig and Victor da Silva Souza
Land Use in NDCs: A Guide to High Ambition Guide This guide identifies twelve ‘implementation areas’ in forestry, agriculture, land tenure, and other land uses that should be addressed in nationally determined contributions (NDCs). By Peter Riggs
India: When a sacred river turns rogue in the border Article Human intervention in the Ganga river is increasingly causing erosion, flooding, and landslides along the India-Bangladesh border. Local residents often lose their land, homes, and livelihoods, facing persecution and criminalization instead of support. By Sourav Sarangi
Why We Are Taking Part in the EU Reform Debate Background The war in Europe, the worsening climate crisis, the pressure on liberal democracies and Europe's unresolved position in the global power structure – the European Union is facing historic challenges. ▶ Learn more.
New goals, old problems: the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Azerbaijan Overview Azerbaijan is the third authoritarian and repressive petro state in a row to host the COP presidency. The most important issues on the COP29 agenda: the new global goal on climate finance (NCQG) and the negotiations on carbon markets - and for both is true: the climate crisis is a matter of global justice. By Linda Schneider
Democracy lives by its people Where we stand What is the state of democracy? While elections are approaching in many countries, people in autocracies are fighting for human rights and reforms – often under dangerous conditions. An introduction to the topic and this issue. By Rasmus Randig
Civil Society Demands Attention to Human Rights and Climate Justice Ahead of COP29 in Azerbaijan Statement We, the undersigned civil society organizations, movements, groups and individuals, highlight the urgent need to address serious human rights concerns in Azerbaijan in the lead-up to its hosting this year’s United Nations Climate Conference (COP29).
Notion on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act: Resource Extraction to serve EU interests? Comment Lithium and other raw materials are essential for digitalization and renewable energies, but are often scarce and found outside the EU. With the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), the EU wants to secure access for European industry in the long term.