Climate protection progress at risk following political transition, warns expert Kemfert - Potential backlashanticipated from governmentchange could jeopardizeclimate action progress
Climate protection could take a hit following the government change, warns renowned expert Claudia Kemfert. This apprehension wasn't without cause, as she points out a potentially damaging decision—moving climate protection from the Ministry of Economics to the Environmental Ministry. Kemfert deems this a questionable move since climate matters fundamentally concern economics.
Regarding the Heating Law, Kemfert references expert council evaluations showing the need for significant improvement in climate protection, not only in the transport sector but also in buildings. However, due to political opposition to the Heating Law, more gas heating systems are being installed, which exacerbates the emission issue. Kemfert encourages greater investment in "consequential energy-saving" measures to counter this trend.
Criticizing the federal minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche's (CDU) plans for new gas power plants, Kemfert considers them excessively large and claims they secure lengthy supply contracts, which goes against her recommendation for focusing more on flexible biogas plants. Instead, she suggests highlighting hydropower, energy system flexibility, and large-scale battery usage as alternatives.
In Berlin, Left Party politician Lorenz Gösta Beutin declared that Minister Reiche's gas power plant strategy is a dead-end in energy policy. He advocates for a decentralized, socially-just energy transition focusing on renewables and public investments for a balanced approach to climate protection, supply security, and social justice.
- Claudia Kemfert
- Climate protection setbacks
- New government
- Climate change concerns
- Fossil fuel industry influence
- Infrastructure barriers
- Economic pressures
- Public perception and education
- Political support
- Decentralized energy transition
- Claudia Kemfert expresses concerns about potential setbacks in climate protection policies amidst the new government, citing the move of climate protection from the Ministry of Economics to the Environmental Ministry as a concerning decision.
- Kemfert advocates for increased investment in energy-saving measures and criticizes the federal minister of Economics, Katherina Reiche's plans for new gas power plants, arguing they secure lengthy supply contracts and hinder the transition towards more flexible, sustainable alternatives like biogas, hydropower, and large-scale battery usage.
- In response to Minister Reiche's gas power plant strategy, Left Party politician Lorenz Gösta Beutin suggests a decentralized, socially-just energy transition focusing on renewables and public investments, arguing that such an approach would balance climate protection, supply security, and social justice.
