Government flights to the World Climate Conference released millions of tons of CO2. The State Department says there is a balance. But criticism is inevitable.
Members and staff of the federal government emitted approximately 308 million tons of carbon dioxide on their return flights in connection with the world climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. This emerges from a recent response by the Federal State Department to a question from former AfD lawmaker Joana Cotar.
The climate conference took place in the Egyptian seaside resort from 6 to 18 November. As reported by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the emissions mentioned include all flights in the context of the federal government’s participation in the conference.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Carbon offset started
According to the information obtained, this includes three machine flights from the flight preparation service of the Ministry of National Defense and the arrival and departure of government members and employees by civilian flights. Also included is the CO2 footprint caused by flights to other countries, for example to park machines there.
The State Department emphasizes that “for all CO2 emissions caused by official trips by the Federal Government,” the Federal Environment Agency will issue a corresponding compensation.
Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (The Greens) and Development Minister Svenja Schulze (SPD) and their accompanying staff are named as members of the Federal Government who will use the three aircraft deployed. It was stated that other government officials, including escorts, used civilian flights to get there and back.
Cotar accuses Ampel of “showing off”.
Cotar, a member of the Bundestag who recently resigned from the AfD – no longer a faction – accused the traffic light government of “showmanship”.
This is ridiculous in times of video conferences and a huge waste of tax money. Germany needs “rational realpolitik, not an activist climate frenzy”.
Source: ZDF
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