Climate Protection & Sustainability: German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits PIK

06/29/2021 - Today, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and the Albert Einstein Science Park with the Heads of State of Belgium, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland. Together with PIK Directors Ottmar Edenhofer and Johan Rockström, they discussed current climate policy challenges around the Paris climate goals and the mechanisms of action of CO2 pricing.
Climate Protection & Sustainability: German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits PIK
German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (front left) and PIK Director Ottmar Edenhofer. Picture: Bundesregierung / Henning Schacht

"I think it has once again become clear to everyone involved today how ambitious it already is to limit global warming to below 2 degrees or 1.5 degrees," Federal President Steinmeier said. "Huge steps have to be taken. Politics must be bold." PIK Director Ottmar Edenhofer strongly reiterated that it is not just a question of target corridors being adopted, "but that these target corridors must also be underpinned by concrete political decisions."

Johan Rockström (left), Ottmar Edenhofer (middle) and Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Picture: Bundesregierung / Henning Schacht

After an intensive discussion on the topics of sustainability, equity and social compatibility, the Heads of State explored the historic science site at Telegrafenberg, including the Great Refractor which belongs to the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam, in a walking tour led by PIK researcher Ricarda Winkelmann.


 Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Ricarda Winkelmann (far right) during the walking tour. Picture: Bundesregierung / Henning Schacht

The Heads of State of Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and Switzerland meet every year at different locations for an informal meeting - this year it is Germany's turn. Last year, the meeting was cancelled due to the Corona pandemic.