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Berlin (dpa) - With the start of the new US government under President Joe Biden, the Greens are hoping for new momentum for climate policy.
"Now a new time can dawn for global climate protection," said the climate policy spokeswoman for the Green parliamentary group, Lisa Badum, of the dpa.
"Germany must now seize the opportunity and submit proposals to the USA to revitalize the transatlantic partnership in climate policy."
Just hours after taking office, Biden had initiated the United States' return to the 2015 Paris Agreement.
His predecessor Donald Trump had resigned.
After Biden's U-turn, the US could be a party again from February 19.
The aim of the agreement is to stop the earth from overheating and limit dangerous consequences such as storms, floods and droughts.
The Green Bundestag member and foreign politician Jürgen Trittin rejoiced: "The USA finally wants to go from braking to being a driver of climate protection."
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The Berlin think tank Adelphi has carried out an analysis on behalf of the Green parliamentary group as to what future climate policy cooperation could look like.
The MEPs adopt the eight specific proposals that have been drawn up.
The next international climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland in November is an important milestone.
The signatory states should present updated climate protection plans there at the latest.
The experts suggest, among other things, that Europe and the USA could best submit guidelines for climate-friendly economic stimulus programs after the Corona crisis beforehand.
Further ideas: joint concepts for more extensive pricing of climate-damaging carbon and a push in the circle of the G20 countries to abolish state subsidies for fossil fuels.
"Now we have proposals on the table for how Germany and the USA can work together on climate policy," said Badum.
“The time window is small.
That is why we are now going to put pressure on the German government so that we can move forward together with the USA on international climate protection. "
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According to Trittin, internal contradictions and the turmoil in the USA are the biggest problems facing the Biden administration.
Investments in climate and infrastructure could help to overcome the corona recession.
"International cooperation is needed so that progress in climate protection is not blocked by referring to foreign competition," he emphasized.
“Especially with narrow majorities in the Senate and the strength of the fossil fuel lobbies, Europe has a responsibility to cooperate.
That is why we need a transatlantic climate initiative. "
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210122-99-124546 / 3