The new National Climate Protection Program, as agreed upon by the federal government on 13 July, was the subject of the "Climate Talk" on 13 August 2005. Experts from business, science and politics discussed the economic and political meaning of the program, particularly against the backdrop of emissions trading, Germany's (formerly) leading role in climate protection and Germany's 2012-emissions-reduction-goals. Presentations were given by Astrid Harnisch (Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Protection, BMU), Regine Günther (WWF) and Sven Reinhardt (CDU/CSU-faction).

The purpose of the Climate Protection Program is to evaluate the former climate policy and to highlight the current need for action. The new program determines the framework for future climate policy, which pertains to i.a. the transport sector, private households, trade, and industry.

Astrid Harnisch presented the subject from the point of view of the federal government. Regine Günther and Sven Reinhardt highlighted the topic from the perspectives of an environmental organisation and the CDU/CSU faction respectively.

The ensuing discussion showed the difficulties of medium and long term climate protection, as well as the meaning of quantified targets and concrete state measures. The relevance of energy efficiency measures was underscored and the expansion of emissions trading to other sectors discussed. The debate continued on topics like policy mix and distortion of competition by climate protection into the early evening and was eventually moved to a nearby location, where the evening drew to a relaxed close.