Obesity, rents, traffic jams - Western man has many worries. Climate researcher Hans Joachim Schellnhuber explained at the REWE Group Dialogue Forum at the end of April why all this could become irrelevant if we don't finally act to protect the climate - and what role retail and politics play in this. Watch the most important statements in the video.
Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, climate researcher
Hans Joachim Schellnhuber is considered a luminary among climate researchers. He founded the world-famous Potsdam Institute and advises leading politicians and religious leaders such as EU leaders, the Pope, the World Bank and many governments. At the end of April, he was a guest at the REWE Group Dialogue Forum in Berlin - and called for much more determination when it comes to climate protection. In his keynote speech to around 150 invited guests from retail, science, associations, politics and non-governmental organisations, he pointed out that the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming are higher today than ever before, despite international political efforts and the coronavirus crisis.
"The time to act is now," says Schellnhuber. "Only a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions within this decade can still make it possible to limit climate change to a manageable level. Otherwise, it would be difficult to imagine how eight to ten billion people could lead a good and peaceful life on our planet." It is also important to strengthen natural carbon sinks such as forests and peatlands and to create new sinks in agriculture and the construction sector.
The CEO of the REWE Group clearly sees itself as having a responsibility here and wants to make its contribution, emphasised Lionel Souque. He emphasised to the participants the importance of sustainable commitment - even and especially in times of crisis.
NABU President Jörg-Andreas Krüger and REWE Group Divisional Board Member Dr Daniela Büchel then took to the stage to discuss the current challenges and concrete measures in the areas of climate protection and biodiversity conservation. "Thanks to REWE's major investment, we are able to invest considerable sums in natural climate protection with the NABU Climate Fund. REWE and NABU are assuming joint responsibility here and making a major contribution to nature conservation and climate protection," says NABU President Jörg-Andreas Krüger. "Concepts alone don't change anything, we have to take action. And companies are sometimes quicker than politicians in this respect. They are at the source and can really make a difference."
During a visit to the "PENNY Grüner Weg" sustainability experience market or the "aquaponics farm" at ECF Farmsystems, the participants were able to gain their own impression of REWE Group's commitment to sustainability. In a "Talk to the Management" workshop, Sustainability Influencer Louisa Dellert formulated five wishes for REWE and PENNY together with customers and presented them to the management.
Since 2010, REWE Group has been organising its annual dialogue forums as a personal, constructive exchange with important stakeholders in the area of Sustainability. In addition to the audience on site, hundreds of guests also joined the hybrid event at the NRW state representation digitally via stream.
