Heating Act Controversy: Environmental Groups Slam Weakened Climate Protection Efforts
A collective of environmental organizations, including Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), Naturschutzbund (Nabu), Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR), and World Wildlife Fund (WWF), have publicly criticized the most recent form of the German government's Heat Act draft. As detailed in a joint report, the alterations made since the initial bill draft have diminished the Act's potential to drive substantial climate protection, according to these environmental associations.
The report raises concerns regarding the reduced objective of generating at least 30% of heat from renewable energy sources by 2030. For these green groups, this ambition is insufficient to meet the objective of restricting global warming to 1.5 degrees. Other complaints include the existence of numerous exemptions granted to municipalities, enabling them to postpone deadlines, and the draft's omission of any sanctions for non-compliance.
The Heat Act is part of a broader legislative framework managed by the Ministry of Construction under Klara Geywitz (SPD). This Act aims at reinforcing the existing Heating Act, which has already been approved. Once a heating plan is established, property owners shall be compelled to heat using at least 65% renewable energy sources, provided that their existing natural gas or oil heating system is unrepairable. Commencing from 2024, only newly constructed structures may adopt heating systems that incorporate 65% renewable energy, as mandated by this Act.
Existing buildings will rely on municipal heating planning, as per the draft law. As scheduled, large urban areas need to have a heating plan in place by mid-2026, with medium-sized urban areas expected to complete their plans by mid-2028. Given this, residents will be informed of whether their district will connect to a district heating network or if they must install a heat pump for sustainable, environmentally friendly heating.
On February 28, 2023, the second hearing for the Heat Planning Act will take place in the Building Committee.
Key Points of Environmental Criticism: 1. The environmental associations argue the current draft's reduced target of generating at least 30% of heat from renewable energy by 2030 is inadequate for climate protection. 2. The associations also strongly object to numerous exemptions and opportunities for municipalities to postpone deadlines, making the Act largely ineffective, as well as the absence of any non-compliance fines. 3. According to the WWF, the Heat Planning Act, currently under revision in the Ministry of Construction by Klara Geywitz (SPD), may not adequately support a heating transition aligned with the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees. 4. The controversial Heat Planning Act faced criticism from environmental associations and tackle concerns related to climate protection, effectiveness, and adherence to renewable energy standards for heat generation.
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