Translate this article to English
Two months before the deadline, politicians and environmental associations are calling for a strong climate protection program from the federal government. According to the Climate Protection Act, Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) must present a program by March 25th with which the federal government wants to achieve the legal climate goals.
“The climate protection program is one of the federal government’s few relevant climate protection projects in this legislature,” said Christian Kopp from the Nabu nature conservation association to the taz. “The expectations are therefore high.”
By 2030, Germany is obliged to emit 65 percent less CO₂ than in 1990, and by 2040 the reduction must be 88 percent. According to the think tank Agora Energiewende Germany would have to quadruple its rate of CO₂ reduction from 2026.
“I expect the federal government to react to these numbers and turn things around again,” said Lisa Badum, climate policy spokeswoman for the Green parliamentary group in the Bundestag. “The climate protection program should be the central instrument for achieving the climate goals,” agreed Violetta Bock from the Left Party. “We are in the midst of a climate catastrophe and must urgently tackle the transformation.”
CDU and SPD politicians expect an ambitious program
Climate politicians from the CDU and SPD are also demanding that the climate protection program, as required by law, explain how the climate goals can be achieved. “That’s what I expect and that’s also the coalition’s claim,” said CDU MP Mark Helfrich to the taz. It is important “that we take people with us and offer them a reliable framework, for example when it comes to funding”.
The program must “explain how we should achieve the climate goal and how this path is specifically designed,” said the climate policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, Jakob Blankenburg. It has to be measured against that.
Greenpeace is therefore demanding that the federal government bring forward the coal phase-out by 8 years to 2030 and decide on a gas phase-out in 2035. In addition, it is “fundamental” that after the amendment to the Building Energy Act (GEG) that is due in the coming weeks, new heating systems will have to be operated with 65 percent renewable energy, as before, said Greenpeace activist Sophia van Vuegt to the taz.
Unionspolitiker*innen want to water down this rule. For SPD man Blankenburg, the central question is how the climate goals can be reliably achieved. This belongs “in every political debate, including the debate about the GEG”.
Greenpeace is also calling for funding for heating replacement and building renovation to be staggered more closely according to income and to be secured in the long term – a demand that the industry lobby association BDI supports. The Left Bock wants the modernization levy to be abolished and socially staggered support programs to be set up “so that renovations and heating replacements are not ultimately paid for by the tenants.”
Greens: “The question is whether the SPD will wake up”
In the building and transport sectors, CO₂ emissions even increased in 2025. That’s why associations and politicians here have high expectations of Schneider’s program. CDU climate politician Helfrich sees “great potential” in electrifying the railways. Lisa Badum from the Greens is calling for a U-turn by the federal government: “The biggest lever for the transport turnaround is to maintain the ban on combustion engines.” However, the federal government was against this deployed in Brussels. In addition, Badum is calling for a cheaper Germany ticket and a social ticket for people with low incomes.
Nabu emphasizes that natural CO₂ sinks must be expanded, for example by rewetting moors and reforesting forests in a nature-friendly manner.
Many observers doubt whether the climate protection program will actually meet legal requirements. “Unfortunately, we are not hearing the corresponding signals from the federal government,” said van Vuegt. “My hope is low,” Badum said. “The question is whether the SPD will wake up.”
SPD politician Blankenburg wants to wait until the program is available before making an assessment. “I assume that climate protection can be implemented reliably, socially balanced and effectively.” Kopp from Nabu points out that the climate goals are enshrined in law: “The federal government cannot simply weasel its way out of this.”