Zeit für neue Partnerschaften?

Translated title: Time for new partnerships? German and European involvement in times of populist isolationism

The withdrawal of the United States from international institutions and agreements requires Germany and Europe to assume a greater global responsibility. This is especially true for the interfaces between climate change mitigation, security policy and development. However, when it comes to designing German and European foreign policy, there is still a considerable discrepancy between what is required, actual intentions and the objective scope.

Successful political action in the fields of climate, security and development depends on democracy, legitimacy and sustainability—themes that question populist, isolationist aspirations. Even Germany, the largest member of the European Union (EU), can only assert itself properly in this context through cooperation. The EU is a centre for resolving conflicts and delving deeper into solutions, some of which are globally applicable. US President Obama’s recent second term can also be used as a stimulus for politically responsible inclusive action in the area of ​​climate, security and development.

In this paper, Michael Werz (Center for American Progress), Dennis Tänzler (adelphi) and Wolfgang Schmitt outline courses of action for climate, security and development in Germany. The focus is on establishing a viable link between climate change mitigation, security policy and the objectives of Agenda 2030 on sustainable development. A key challenge is to fill the void in leadership that the United States’ political withdrawal from international institutions and commitments leaves behind.