Germany could feed an additional 70 million people if the Germans changed their diet and reduced the number of livestock by about 75%, Greenpeace researchers say.

The study suggests a decrease in the consumption of animal products at the same time as the reduction in the number of animals in Germany. The Öko-​Institut is guided by the Planetary Healthy Diet (PHD) concept developed by the EAT Lancet. The report looks at ways to feed the world's growing population.

According to the Öko-​Institut, reducing the number of animals by 75% will free up 40% of arable land, as there is no need to grow fodder. Recommendations include re-wetting 80% of swamps, decommissioning 10% of arable land and pastures to ensure biodiversity, and devoting 30% of the area to organic farming.

The authors of the study propose to increase the supply of rapeseed, corn for grain, legumes, soybeans to 100% and vegetables to 67%. At the same time, CO₂ emissions will increase by 1.2 million tons due to greater use of fertilizers, the authors believe.

Despite the increase in grain self-sufficiency, the Öko-Institut estimates that 40% of arable land will be able to grow food for export. This will feed 70 million people. If these areas are planted with forest, then according to the study, within 23 years, forests will absorb about 20.4 million tons of carbon.

Changing the diet will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture by 75%. Greenpeace claims that agriculture accounts for 13% of Germany's greenhouse gas emissions. According to researchers in agriculture, 80% of emissions come from animal husbandry.

Greenpeace believes that the current consumption of meat in Germany is too high. Meat-eating, according to environmentalists, exacerbates the climate crisis and harms human health. The Germans will have to "feed themselves in a way that is good for them and the planet."

“Now we are demanding a comprehensive response from politicians to achieve the goal of transitioning to nutrition in the coming years. We need to change the official dietary guidelines,” said Greenpeace agricultural expert Martin Hofstetter.

Europe’s non-ferrous metals producers call for emergency EU action to prevent permanent deindustrialisation from spiralling electricity and gas prices

Dear Ms President Von der Leyen, dear Ms President Metsola, dear Mr President Michel,

Ahead of Friday’s emergency summit, the business leaders of Europe’s non-ferrous metals industry are writing together to raise the alarm about Europe’s worsening energy crisis and its existential threat to our future. Our sector has already been forced to make unprecedented curtailments in the last 12 months. We are deeply concerned that the winter ahead could deliver a decisive blow to many of our operations, and we call on EU and Member State leaders to take emergency action to preserve their strategic electricity-intensive industries and prevent permanent job losses.

50% of the EU’s aluminium and zinc capacity has already been forced offline due to the power crisis, as well as significant curtailments in silicon and ferroalloys production and further impacts felt across copper and nickel sectors. In the last month, several companies have had to announce indefinite closures and many more are on the brink ahead of a life-or-death winter for many operations. Producers face electricity and gas costs over ten times higher than last year, far exceeding the sales price for their products. We know from experience that once a plant is closed it very often becomes a permanent situation, as re-opening implies significant uncertainty and cost

....

https://eurometaux.eu/media/qnhn5k30/non-ferrous-metals-ceo-letter-on-energy-crisis-06-09-2022.pdf

https://cerameunie.eu/media/le1osvkg/22-09-06-joint-letter-on-energy-prices-president-ursula-von-der-leyen.pdf

Energy bills for European households will surge by 2 trillion euros ($2 trillion) at their peak early next year, underscoring the need for government intervention, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc. utilities analysts.

At their height, energy bills will represent about 15% of Europe’s gross domestic product, the analysts, led by Alberto Gandolfi and Mafalda Pombeiro, wrote in a note dated Sunday.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-09-06/goldman-sees-2-trillion-surge-in-europe-energy-bills-by-2023

Industrial producer prices in the euro area in July 2022 compared to July 2021 increased by 97.2% in the energy sector, by 21.6% for intermediate goods, by 13.8% for consumer durables and by 7.9 % on capital goods. Prices in general for the industry, excluding energy rose by 15.1%.

In the EU, industrial producer prices rose by 96.2% in the energy sector, by 21.7% for intermediate goods, by 14.8% for consumer durables and by 8.1% for capital goods. Prices in the industry as a whole, excluding energy, increased by 15.7%.

Industrial producer prices rose in all Member States, with the largest annual increases recorded in Romania (+67.4%), Bulgaria (+55.9%) and Denmark (+55.1%).