“Top priority”
The Federal Government wants to stand up for climate protection in Germany and worldwide. Discover here what it plans to achieve.
A massive expansion in renewable energies, the rapid phase-out of coal and a significant increase in the number of electric cars on the road: the new Federal Government has ambitious climate protection plans for Germany. We outline the most important policies on which the coalition partners SPD, Greens and FDP have agreed.
Climate protection has “top priority”
The benchmark for the new Federal Government is the goal laid down in the international Paris Climate Accords to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, if possible. “The Paris climate protection goals have top priority for us,” says the coalition agreement. In the process, SPD, Greens and FDP want to bring together the economy and climate protection: “We think economic development and ecological responsibility together.” Appropriately, a new joint ministry is being formed for economic affairs and climate protection. The Green politician Robert Habeck will head the new ministry.
Phasing out coal and expanding renewable energies
The coalition partners aim “ideally” to end coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. Existing legislation envisages a phase-out by 2038 at the latest. At the same time, 80% of electricity demand is to be met by renewable energies by 2030; according to the plans, above all, wind and solar energy will contribute to achieving this goal. The new Federal Government will adhere to Germany’s phasing out of nuclear power by the end of 2022. It also promises to guarantee “socially equitable energy prices”.
From electric cars to ecological agriculture
The coalition partners see climate protection as a “cross-departmental task” for the entire government. Accordingly, measures will be implemented in almost all areas: for example, there are to be at least 15 million electric cars on the roads by 2030 and it is simultaneously planned to strengthen rail transport. The proportion of ecological agriculture is also to rise to 30% by 2030.
Germany as an international partner for climate protection
The Federal Government is also committed to advancing climate protection internationally. For example, there are plans for an initiative to establish climate partnerships. Furthermore, the Federal Government stands by existing pledges on Germany’s share of the 100 billion dollars for international climate funding – and is presenting the prospect of an increase.
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