UW/H Debate with Christoph Bals from German Watch

Christoph Bals und Jan-Christoph Heilinger am Rednerpult

On October 28, 2025, the [tra:ce] research center and the Institute for Social and Institutional Change (ISIC) hosted a public debate at the Witten City Library.

In his presentation, Christoph Bals, Executive Director of Policy at Germanwatch, highlighted the development of the Paris Climate Agreement ten years after its adoption. The 2015 agreement created binding climate commitments for all countries for the first time and accelerated a global energy revolution. However, as Bals explained, it is now facing a geopolitical test: the energy transition started too late, and reactionary counter-movements are slowing down progress. 


Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to contribute their questions and perspectives in a joint discussion.