Fourth round of International Climate Protection Fellowships concluded

16 future executives from developing and newly industrialising countries have successfully completed their research for the International Climate Protection Fellowships sponsored by the Federal Environment Ministry.

16 future executives from developing and newly industrialising countries have successfully completed their research for the International Climate Protection Fellowships sponsored by the Federal Environment Ministry. With the knowledge gained during the programme they will now be able to support environmental protection and climate action in their home countries. "We need international networks of young experts, especially from developing countries, to advance climate action and resource conservation worldwide", said Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, when the certificates were handed over to the participants.

The Federal Environment Ministry supports the fellowships, awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, with funds from the International Climate Initiative. During their one-year stay in Germany the fellows carry out projects in the field of climate action or resource conservation in universities or other relevant institutions. The aim of the fellowships is an exchange of knowledge, methods and techniques.

Ms Schwarzelühr-Sutter said: "Our fellowship programme supports the exchange of future executive staff from developing and newly industrialising countries that cooperate with Germany internationally in the area of climate action and resource conservation. We hope that this network will promote international negotiations for a new climate agreement and be of use when drawing up sustainability programmes in the home countries of our fellows. The poorest countries are often hit hardest by climate change, and they are important partners for achieving ambitious climate targets in the long term."

Sixty young persons have completed the BMUB's fellowship programme since 2010. The sixteen people who completed their fellowship this year come from Ethiopia, Brazil, China, Ghana, Iran, Cameroon, Malawi, Nigeria and Uzbekistan. The next round of fellows are expected start their stay in Germany in March 2015.