Conferences
2007
'Trading Up'
Improving and extending the European carbon market
British-German Environment Forum 6
The sixth BGEF conference addressed the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme.
The 2007 Spring European Council in early March decided to target a 20% cut in greenhouse gas (GHG) production by 2020, compared to 1990 levels. The Council also allowed for a 30% cut if an international agreement is reached. This sets a new challenge for policy makers in Europe. Thus the timing of the sixth British-German Environment Forum in Berlin on 26–27 March 2007 - with the aim of developing ideas and consensus to move forward the policy debate on solutions to climate change, and in particular the carbon market – could hardly have been better. The conference heard of the serious problem the world faces in limiting the output of GHGs as countries such as China and India rapidly industrialise. The EU, with the UK and Germany in the vanguard, has led the way in developing mechanisms to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and the meeting heard about the successes – and failings – of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme, and debated how Germany and the UK together might be able to generate the political momentum required to rise to the challenge.
The discussions and debates of the bilateral conference in Berlin, involving senior representatives from government, business, research and civil society at national and international level, are summarized in a conference report.
2004
From Fossil to Future Fuels
British-German Environment Forum 5
The fifth annual conference organised by the BGEF in Berlin, opened by the Federal Environment Minister Jürgen Trittin, offered an opportunity for British and German policymakers, NGOs, practitioners and researchers to exchange ideas and experience on cooperating towards a secure and sustainable energy policy.
How to push forward the gradual but critically important switch from ‘fossil fuels' to ‘future fuels' was the topic of the fifth British–German Environment Forum, which met in Berlin in February 2004. The 60 participants represented the spectrum of activity in sustainable energy in both countries: politics and policy-making (at local, national and European levels), technological and commercial development, and research, reporting and campaigning. Three main challenges were debated: how to reduce dependence on imports of fossil fuels; how to promote a more rapid take-up of sustainable and energy-efficient practices and technologies and how Germany and the UK can more effectively pursue common aims within the international energy system.
- For a detailed programme please click here
- For the participants list please click here
- For a Summary (23 KB) please click here
- For a free download of the complete conference report (110 KB) please click here
- For Robert M Worcester's (MORI) presentation on "Public Opinion in Germany & Britain regarding energy/environmentand other issues" (643 KB) please click here
2002
'Sustaining Food, Sustaining Farmers'
What can Britain and Germany learn from each other in reforming agriculture for sustainable development?
British-German Environment Forum 4
The fourth conference of the British-German Environment Forum brought together some fifty experts from government, farmers' associations, NGOs, universities and the media in both countries to explore issues of sustainability in agriculture and food production. Forum participants investigated the complex interconnections between agriculture, rural communities, and every part of the food production chain.
The discussions and debates are summarized in a conference report.
2001
'Escaping from Gridlock'
Integrating environmental and transport policy
British-German Environmental Forum 3
- For a detailed programme please click here
1998
'Playing Our Part'
Climate change strategies in Britain and Germany beyond Kyoto
British-German Environment Forum 1
- For a detailed programme please click here