Dossiers

With a one-year delay, the 2021 UN climate change conference (COP26) is scheduled to take place from 31 October to 12 November 2021 in Glasgow, under the presidency of the UK. For the first time since the Paris Agreement, signatory states must submit updated and more ambitious greenhouse gas reduction pledges. Will they help closing the so far big gap between necessary reductions and reality?  What are ways to achieve them in a socially and gender-just manner? What financing contributions are needed to support developing countries? What false solutions must be avoided? We explore those questions in various contributions, with a focus on the EU.

The German federal election (#BTW21) took place on 26 September 2021. This election marks the end of the Merkel era, as well as a likely reconfiguration of the German political landscape. Election results indicate a high degree of volatility in the electorate and many possible government coalitions.

On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented its proposals for implementing the EU Climate Law - the so-called “Fit-for-55” package. This will be the starting signal for one of the most important EU debates of the next years: how can the EU reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and how can it become climate neutral by 2050?

There is hardly any other food that pollutes our environment and the climate as badly as meat. However, no government in the world currently has a concept of how meat consumption and production can be significantly reduced. But if the sector continues to grow as it has up to now, almost 360 million tons of meat will be produced and consumed worldwide in 2030. With ecological effects that are hard to imagine.

With the dramatic takeover of power by the Taliban following the abrupt end of NATO's 20-year mission, Afghanistan is drifting into an uncertain political future. Our dossier offers insights into current developments and debates in Afghanistan, the region and Europe.

There is well-founded hope that widespread vaccination against Covid-19 will bring the long-awaited pandemic relief. Much now depends on ensuring rapid and broad access to vaccines globally. Against this background, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung has commissioned a series of short country and regional studies written by authors from the Global South and East. This dossier sheds light on the status of vaccination campaigns in different countries worldwide.

On 20 January 2021, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris respectively became President and Vice-President of the United States of America. The new administration faces great challenges after four years of Trump-fuelled divisions and threats to the Rule of Law, as well as the ravaging effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. How will the USA recover its economy, overcome social and political polarisation and regain trust at global level? How will Transatlantic relations be rebuilt? Contributions from our foreign offices and partners.