Questions to the Environment Minister

German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has appointed ebm-papst to the Environmental Technology Board established in 2006

Minister Gabriel in which way did the first meetings of the Environmental Technology Board add new impulses to your work?

Concerning ecological issues, many corporate representatives are far ahead of what the public debate or corporate association notes might suggest. I have established the Environmental Technology Board and asked corporate representatives, union agents as well as scientists to advise me on current ecological issues. This direct link to the experts creates a valuable dialogue. It offers new perspectives which are sometimes missed out in daily politics. We discuss crucial environmental issues in a candid and quite controversial manner. These discussions about eco-political strategies, for example about improving energy and resource efficiency, are very enriching to me.

What would you like to see in the German economy to cope with the ecological challenges?

The German economy has already recognised in some areas that the basic conditions of economic activity have changed and that corporate strategies as well as business models have to be realigned. The consequences of the climatic changes as well as the shortages of raw materials and energy as well as the increase in their costs are already clearly noticeable. I would like to see three things in the German economy: firstly, for it to seize upon the challenges in the environmental and climatic arena as primarily being an opportunity for success; secondly, for it to seriously tackle the topic of “efficiency” (the catch-phrase is: to produce “more” goods with “less” environmental resources); and thirdly, for it to use the great opportunities in the future markets of energy efficiency, sustainable water management, sustainable mobility, power generation, raw-materials and material efficiency as well as waste and recycling management for economic success, employment and qualification. Our ambitious environmental policy has created important prerequisites for ensuring that German companies are multiple market leaders and that the German economy assumes a leading position in the export of environmentally protective goods.

What can the economy expect from politicians in this aspect?

We are focussing on innovation, more climate protection and resource efficiency, and the creation of new long-term jobs. We shall continue the route pursued in our ecological industrial policy. One fact is clear, as our recent environmental report also showed: good environment creates good work. Particularly in the current crisis we must focus on sustainable investments and jobs with long-term security. I am sure the climate protection initiative launched last year will prove to be an effective instrument as part of the German government’s economic stimulus plan. And for this reason, I shall continue to engage with the economic sector for a sustained modernisation of our society.