In a Friday morning interview, the climate crisis was the main topic under discussion with guest David Hoffmann, a representative of Votum Klima — a platform uniting Luxembourgish non-governmental organisations.
With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) fast approaching, David Hoffmann of Votum Klima joined RTL in the studio to discuss the stakes.
"We have to meaningfully build hope around it, because it is the only occasion when around 190 countries gather solely to address the global challenge of the climate crisis", Hoffmann said.
This year’s conference opens on 10 November in Belém, Brazil. Civil society organisations are pushing for a decisive outcome, hoping countries recognise the scale of the task. Hoffmann cautioned, however, that the negotiating framework for the 30th anniversary COP will not be easy.
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, the momentum that compelled countries to take climate action appears to have faded. More leaders are questioning the scientific basis of climate change, governments are rowing back on once ambitious targets, and countries remain unable to agree on a meaningful global target for climate finance for developing countries.
Despite this, Hoffmann who leads political advocacy at Third World Solidarity (ASTM) said he will not be discouraged. It is their job to keep pushing. He places his hopes on the states that still have ambitious goals, urging them to show leadership and secure the funding, support and cooperation needed.
Disappointing "climate leadership" from the EU
David Hoffmann said he hopes countries will make renewed efforts to sharpen their climate goals, as what is currently on the table is not enough. He noted that a number of countries, including EU member states, missed their Paris agreement deadlines, which Hoffmann finds "extremely disappointing". However, he hopes that next week’s extraordinary Council of European environment ministers will reach a united position on a 2040 climate target.
Currently, the planned reductions are around 90% greenhouse gas emissions until 2040 compared to the 1990 emission levels but this is being questioned by several member states, who are asking for more flexibility,
Hoffmann said he is cautiously optimistic that Environment Minister Serge Wilmes is taking a more ambitious stance than some other countries, and Votum Klima hopes Luxembourg can persuade others to follow suit. Without an ambitious climate policy, he warned, the Grand Duchy risks facing a scenario in which even Luxembourg’s economic activity is hindered by climate change.
Luxembourg "lagging far behind" climate goals
Environment Minister Serge Wilmes often presents Luxembourg as "one of the good guys" on climate protection. But Hoffmann argues there is little value in comparing the Grand Duchy with China or the United States, which are performing relatively poorly. Instead, he says Luxembourg should set aside far more funding, as it is currently not meeting its climate finance commitments.
COP30 location "symbolic
Brazil, the organiser of COP30, has already been embroiled in several controversies, the Votum Klima representative told RTL. Chief among them is the choice of Belém in the Amazon, widely criticised for inadequate logistics. With limited accommodation, prices have soared. Even so, David Hoffmann said the rain forest’s symbolic value for a global climate summit should not be underestimated.
Hoffmann will travel to Brazil to represent Votum Klima at the conference. As a member of ASTM, he argues that after three COPs where civil society was largely sidelined, this is a chance to regroup, apply pressure and influence national delegations.
