A positive vision for the future in 2040 will be particularly influenced by cooperation between European countries and important global players. Rising greenhouse gas emissions can only be regulated by global agreements and by no means at local level. This can only be achieved if, at the same time, the standard of living or economic growth increases. If this is not taken into account, the transformation process towards reduced emissions will not be socially enforceable. Globally, a new era of free trade is needed with the simultaneous introduction of a global emissions taxonomy. For the emerging economies of the Global South, this would be a good compromise in maintaining good trading conditions while complying with an emissions taxonomy.