Make climate change profitable

The VDI (Association of German Engineers) called for an eight-point plan to actively counteract imminent climate change. For this purpose the president of the VDI, Prof. Bruno O. Braun, (Fig.) ­presented a new study with the ­title “More knowledge – less resources – ­potentials for a resource-efficient economy”. “In order to achieve our climate goals we need vision and courage”, said Braun. “This involves more capital spending for research and the development of more efficient and low-CO₂ technologies, tax advantages for low-consumption and low-CO₂ mobility as well as a stronger financial promotion of building restoration.” In addition to these three points, global CO₂ trading must be implemented consistently, trade restrictions lifted and more transparency created for the consumers. In addition, more efficient water systems are required. “Basically we need an efficiency bonus for low-CO_{2 ­}products”, explained Braun. The study can be downloaded at www.vdi.de/
studien.