Robert Habeck, Germany's vice-chancellor and federal minister for economic affairs and climate action, said Germany had missed its 2021 climate targets and was likely to miss them this year and next. He said Germany "must triple the pace of emissions reductions" to meet its 2030 goal.
Germany will miss its climate targets for three consecutive years, Vice Chancellor says
Last year (2021) was quite unfavorable for Germany's climate progress. Due to unusually weak wind speeds, renewable energy generation fell to a two-year low. Furthermore, carbon emissions, despite a brief decline due to COVID-19, subsequently rebounded. For these reasons, Germany failed to achieve its 2021 climate goals.
"We took over the government with a very large number of pressing issues," Habeck admitted on the 11th while reporting on the country's 2021 climate progress in Berlin. He explained that if the current pace continued, Germany's carbon emissions would only be reduced by 50% by 2030, "which would mean 200 million tons of CO2 more than Germany's target."
“The climate protection measures implemented so far in all sectors are insufficient… and the climate targets for 2022 and 2023 may not be achieved.”
Germany has reduced its carbon emissions by 40% compared to 1990, according to official data released in December. Habeck said Germany needs to cut another 25% to meet its 2030 target.
“To do that, we need to cut emissions twice as fast and do more in less time,” Habeck said.
Germany plans to take seven energy measures this year
Last December, the "traffic light" coalition of the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Free Democrats took office in Berlin, formally ending Merkel's 16 years of conservative rule.
With Green Party leader Habeck in charge of the "super-ministry" responsible for economy, energy and climate, expectations are high that the new government can turn things around. To this end, Habeck said he would present his first climate protection package in April, followed by a second set of proposals in the summer.
To accomplish what Habeck called a "daunting" task, the German government is preparing a package of bills that will be published around Easter. Habeck also outlined seven priority measures he hopes to implement before the summer:
1. Boosting solar power generation: According to the ruling coalition's agreement, the solar acceleration plan will include increasing photovoltaic tenders and providing more open space for solar installations, making solar energy a mandatory feature of new commercial buildings and private homes.
2. Freeing up land for more onshore wind farms: Habeck wants to accelerate the expansion of onshore wind power and shorten the minimum distance from military infrastructure to quickly secure more space. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action confirmed that by shortening the distance between wind farms and military facilities, approximately 7 to 9 GW of additional power generation could be achieved.
3. Control soaring electricity prices: Habeck's goal is to stop collecting renewable energy surcharges from consumers starting in 2023 and instead cover them from the state budget.
4. Promote Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) to accelerate industrial decarbonization: CCfD is a financial instrument that aims to bridge the gap between carbon prices in the EU market and low-carbon technologies that require higher CO2 costs.
5. 50% of heating systems to be climate-neutral by 2030: The Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action stated that decarbonizing residential heating systems should proceed in parallel with improving energy efficiency. To this end, Germany will immediately increase its budget for installing energy-efficient heating systems once the European Commission approves its application for state subsidies.
6. Review the Building Energy Law to protect investors: Starting in 2025, newly installed heating systems must use 65% renewable energy to prevent stranded investments. To encourage renovations, energy-efficient buildings will also be "rapidly adjusted." Due to the high cost of building materials, Habeck stated that state subsidies will be provided.
7. Double green hydrogen production: Patrick Graichen, State Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action, said that Germany's production of hydrogen produced using renewable electricity will increase significantly, while green hydrogen imports will continue to play a key role.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/233249)
