Despite the valid criticism, the two important climate events that took place last week – the presentation of the German Federal Government’s climate package and the results of the UN Climate Action Summit – represent a start, at least in some areas. It is now a question of maintaining pressure to give us a chance of achieving the 1.5-degree goal.

Even though there has been a lot of negative news for the climate in the media in recent weeks, it is still worth taking to the streets for more climate protection. Tomorrow's global climate demonstrations are supposed to demonstrate: The time for talking is over, now we need decisive action.

Hate, exclusion and racism are unfortunately on the rise again in large parts of the world. All social forces, including business enterprises, must take a clear stand against this.

The digitalization of the energy transition with intelligent networking through digital technology is in full swing. Secure passwords for data communication are essential. With our new password guideline you protect your solar plant against unauthorized access.

Combined with intelligently managed battery-storage systems, photovoltaics provides a reliable supply of electricity around the clock exactly where it is needed. At the same time, it is helping support grids. With the costs of solar energy and batteries decreasing, nothing stands in the way of their increased expansion.

No company alone can master the complexity resulting from the decentralization and digitalization of the energy supply. Close cooperation among specialists from different fields is vital for creating a sustainable, reliable, low-cost and highly convenient energy supply.

A political consensus at the international level is still a long time coming despite the great urgency for effective climate protection. We should therefore now assume more national responsibility and quickly introduce a carbon tax. Other countries such as Great Britain, Sweden and Switzerland have long since done so.

The European elections once again made it clear that climate protection is becoming a central issue for more and more people Even after the elections, effective countermeasures by politicians are not yet in sight. This means that it is all the more important that companies take the initiative.

With Yammer, we have launched an enterprise social network (ESN) at SMA. This means that we use not only e-mail, chat functions and the telephone but also communities to discuss job-related issues within the company. A workshop with our Yammer admins and community manager Katharina Krentz from Bosch identified additional potential for lively communities.

Year in, year out, Intersolar Europe is one of my top events. Last week, the international PV industry descended on Munich again, and the atmosphere was the best it has been in a long time.