Davos: Calls to Increase Investment in Climate Protection

John Kerry, US Special Envoy for Climate, walks to the Davos Congress Center, the venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
John Kerry, US Special Envoy for Climate, walks to the Davos Congress Center, the venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
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Davos: Calls to Increase Investment in Climate Protection

John Kerry, US Special Envoy for Climate, walks to the Davos Congress Center, the venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann
John Kerry, US Special Envoy for Climate, walks to the Davos Congress Center, the venue of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2023, in the Alpine resort of Davos, Switzerland, January 18, 2023. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

US special presidential envoy for climate John Kerry has praised Germany's climate policy, expressing his confidence that Berlin would be able to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

"We can hit 1.5 [degrees warming]," said Kerry, adding that: "We are not on track to do it now, and it is not absolutely clear that we will get on track. Globally, we are heading to 2.5, somewhere in the high twos right now. And we really must turn that around."

During the "Keep the Pace on Climate" panel at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, the former Secretary of State expressed optimism about Germany achieving its climate goals to limit the rise in global temperature to no more than 1.5 degrees.

"Germany can achieve this,” he said.

However, Kerry warned that the world is heading towards global warming of 2.5 degrees or more, noting that investments in climate protection must be doubled.

He expressed his belief that combating climate change can only succeed if governments create incentives for the private sector to invest in environmentally friendly technologies.

"The private sector is absolutely key to our ability to be able to win this battle."

The US IRA, signed into law in August 2022, unlocks significant climate financing and establishes major incentives for the private sector and investors to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.

He noted that the law provides billions of dollars in investments in climate protection and the social sphere.

However, the European Commission believes that the law harmed European Union companies and raised fears of moving production centers to the United States and losing jobs.

Meanwhile, environmental activist Greta Thunberg said it was "absurd" that people take seriously the ideas related to climate change that was put forward in Davos.

Thunberg said that people should listen to those on the frontline in the climate crisis.

In 2020, Thunberg attended the World Economic Forum and had verbal confrontations with former US President Donald Trump.

"We must panic" because "the house is on fire,” she has said.

A few days ago, Thunberg attended a protest in Germany on the coal mine expansion in Luetzerath, west of the country.

She was arrested for a few hours on the sidelines of that protest, according to a police source.



Powerful Quake of 6.2 Magnitude Shakes Istanbul

Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
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Powerful Quake of 6.2 Magnitude Shakes Istanbul

Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas
Türkiye's national flags are displayed on buildings ahead of the National Sovereignty and Child's Day in the financial district of Istanbul, Türkiye, April 22, 2025. REUTERS/Umit Bektas

A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 shook Istanbul on Wednesday, Türkiye's AFAD disaster agency said, one of the strongest quakes to strike the city of 16 million in recent years.
There were no immediate reports of damage, but people evacuated buildings as the quake hit and shook the city, located on the European and Asian shores of the Bosphorus strait.
The epicenter of the quake, which struck at 12:49 (0949 GMT) was in the area of Silivri, some 80 km (50 miles) to the west of Istanbul. It was at a depth of 6.92 km (4.3 miles), Reuters quoted AFAD as saying.
Broadcaster TGRT reported that one person had been injured as a result of jumping off a balcony during the quake, which occurred during a public holiday in Türkiye.
AFAD warned people in the region against entering damaged buildings.
The German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ) said the earthquake had a magnitude 6.02. It was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) GFZ said.