Environmental Resources Under Threat: An Overview

In the face of growing health risks from air pollution and climate change, the importance of sustainability cannot be overstated. This cross-cutting issue, with no simple solutions, is about shaping the future responsibly. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS), a German political foundation, is at the forefront of this global challenge.

Democracies, with their active citizen participation and political will, are particularly suited to drive through profound changes. KAS, through its events, studies, and analyses, provides platforms for interdisciplinary exchange, aiming to shape a sustainable future.

The "One Health" approach, emphasizing the strengthening of health systems and pandemic prevention, is a key strategy in addressing interactions between humans, animals, and the natural environment. KAS, in cooperation with EPICO Climate Innovation, is spearheading the "Policy Accelerator for Climate Innovation" project. This initiative aims to develop clear action recommendations and target images for achieving climate neutrality.

The transition to greater sustainability should be economically viable, oriented towards daily life, and gain acceptance to avoid eroding social cohesion. Innovations, such as technologies, processes, or behavioral changes, can be a key to a more sustainable use of natural resources and adaptation to climate change. KAS's publication series provides insights into these innovations, helping in the development process towards a sustainable lifestyle.

Mobility must be rethought in many ways, considering the needs of cities and rural areas equally and connecting them through innovative and sustainable approaches. The required decarbonization and targeted climate neutrality of the economy and society present challenges. However, the expansion of renewable energies and the associated infrastructure, promotion of climate-neutral technologies, diversification of raw material and energy imports, measures for higher energy efficiency, and closed product cycles and recycling (circular economy) are important adaptation measures.

In agriculture, food production must be thought of in conjunction with species and climate protection. KAS cooperates with several countries on climate neutrality, focusing on policy advice, capacity building, and promoting sustainable development and climate protection measures. Key partner countries include those in Africa, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, where cooperation emphasizes energy transition, climate policy dialogue, and fostering democratic governance in climate action.

The geopolitical fragmentation, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, increases tasks and raises questions about energy supply security, climate protection, and raw material demand for new technologies. Sustainability is a systemic balance of ecological, economic, and social development. It is a political challenge, a core concern for preserving creation and protecting human rights, and a prerequisite for prosperity and a principle of the social market economy.

In conclusion, the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung's commitment to sustainability and climate neutrality is evident in its various projects and cooperations. Through its work, KAS contributes to the global discourse on these critical issues, providing food for thought and insights into innovations that can help in the development process towards a sustainable lifestyle.