Environment Minister Gabriel Interviewed by Steve Clemons on The Washington Note
Press Release
German Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel talked with Steve Clemons, executive vice president of the New America Foundation, in an interview video that Clemons posted on his blog, The Washington Note, on April 29.
After participating in the Major Economies Forum (MEF) hosted by President Obama in Washington, DC, Environment Minister Gabriel met with Clemons to talk about his view of the meeting and the prospects for climate change negotiations on the path to Copenhagen.
“We witness a completely different approach with the new administration,” Gabriel said. “It trusts science and it is willing to sign a treaty on climate. Nevertheless, we need to see whether the ambitious targets of the United States are ambitious enough.”
He continued: “The participants of the MEF represent 75 percent of the problems [i.e. greenhouse gas emissions worldwide] and at the same time, they are able to find 100 percent of the solution.”
Gabriel spoke positively about the talks at the forum. “We had a very open and very frank debate that we never had in the past … I am very optimistic.”
He also spoke about the potential of energy efficiency and investments in technology to help the economy. “Thanks to investments in energy efficiency we are able to lower the electricity bills in spite of increasing energy prices,” Gabriel said. “If you don’t invest now, you will have to pay a much higher price in the future. It’s important to invest in the technologies of the future now.”
Watch the video and learn more about Minister Gabriel’s three-day visit to Washington at Germany.info.
Environment Minister Gabriel: Climate Forum was “Vitally Important”
