Gathering strength for 2023

Fortunately, at least the scenario of a gas shortage - this winter - has become somewhat less likely, but still not averted. Even if the wildest roller coaster rides on the energy markets are hopefully behind us - the current prices on the forward market for gas and electricity for 2023 are still breathtaking.

For all the due recognition of the need not to endanger the climate more than is unavoidable under the circumstances, it is regrettable that we have a coalition government that wants to halve our CO2 emissions in Germany as quickly as possible without considering the resulting competitive disadvantages for companies in the international arena. For some extreme ecologists, the current energy price increases may even cause rejoicing. Be that as it may, we contribute about two percent to global CO2 emissions. The emerging economies of China, India and Indonesia alone account for 39 percent, while the seven leading industrialized nations account for 23 percent. So we could subtract one percent from this - that wouldn't be very much and would certainly have no effect on the climate. On the other hand, every production facility that is relocated increases our dependencies, tightens the supply chains, and it can be assumed that, for comparable products, significantly more CO2 is emitted in the emerging countries than here. Forcibly reducing emissions in Germany could therefore actually increase CO2 emissions globally.

For the energy-intensive surface industry, the prospects are challenging, especially since our government takes a long time with everything it wants to do for companies and also likes to get stuck in a wrong track sometimes. Support programs often turn out to be bureaucratic monsters that demand a lot from the companies applying for them. Our interview with an energy service provider on page 22 provides some interesting insights. The ZVO put it very well in a nutshell in its fire letter(read more here, or in the December issue on page 37): Only economically successful countries have the means to manage the conversion of an economy to climate neutrality. In any case, those that have been ahead of their time in terms of sustainability and resource efficiency have gained tangible competitive advantages.

It is clear that further challenges await us in the coming year - with this in mind, I wish us all a relaxing time between the years, a happy new year and that many things will be better in 2023. Until then, we recommend our Christmas report in the December issue (from page 10) to help you slow down.