Tuesday, 17th February 2026

Governor of California

Governor Gavin Newsom and German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider met today at the Munich Security Conference to spotlight the national and economic security risks of climate change and highlight how the transition to clean energy reduces risk while protecting communities and growing economies.

Both leaders emphasized that clean energy technologies and advancing a strong circular economy — which prioritize recycling and reusing materials — create new business opportunities while making our industries and entrepreneurs more competitive and resilient.
The environmental crisis doesn’t stop at borders, and global cooperation must match the scale of the challenge. Extreme weather, rising seas, and resource shortages destabilize regions and threaten economic security. Germany and California — the world’s third- and fourth-largest economies, respectively, and ones that have experienced extreme weather events firsthand — are taking decisive action to advance close international cooperation and turn ambition into action.

The two leaders discussed deepening collaboration on green technologies, climate change mitigation and adaptation, nature-based solutions, and building up the health of our lands and oceans.

The global green economy is expected to reach around 7 trillion USD in 2030, driving innovation, commercial opportunities, and creating high-quality jobs. Clean energy technologies are here to stay. Investments in decarbonization and resilience are not only climate-responsible but are good for business and economic growth.

Both leaders emphasized that protecting natural systems — forests, rivers, soils, and oceans — is crucial to security. Healthy ecosystems absorb and store CO₂ and methane, regulate the water balance, mitigate the effects of droughts, floods, and heat waves, and support food production. Governor Newsom and Minister Schneider discussed working together to further protect and restore these systems as a form of forward-looking risk prevention that significantly reduces future costs and conflicts.