Proposes a directive for safeguarding the environment, as approved by the Commission.
In a recent report published by the German federal government, steps have been outlined to achieve the nation's ambitious goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. The report provides an overview of climate-damaging emissions, climate protection measures, and the status of existing climate protection programs in Germany.
The report underscores the significance of social aspects in the implementation of climate protection measures. It emphasizes the need to reduce emissions in the transport and building sectors, two key areas that have a substantial impact on Germany's carbon footprint.
According to the report, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045, Germany must significantly increase electrification and sustainable mobility in the transport sector. This includes accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) with consistent policies that avoid abrupt subsidy cuts, alongside new purchase incentives and tax benefits, particularly for company EVs. The report also recommends phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles and promoting alternative propulsion systems.
In the building sector, the report suggests accelerating the installation of heat pumps, with projections expecting over 11 million buildings to be supplied by heat pumps by 2045. Expanding heating networks to connect approximately 3.5 million buildings is another recommendation. The report also emphasizes the need for deeper energy efficiency improvements and climate-friendly heating solutions to reduce emissions from heating and construction.
Both sectors need to be complemented by carbon dioxide removal measures. The government plans to neutralize residual emissions through carbon dioxide removal (CDR), aiming for 40 million tonnes CO2 equivalent removal annually by 2045 using land use and technological solutions like carbon capture and storage (CCS). Recent legislative reforms propose enabling large-scale carbon capture and storage infrastructure, with regulatory changes to simplify planning and permit CO2 storage and transport projects, focusing on industrial applications rather than coal power.
However, the report does not provide updated information on whether Germany can achieve its 2030 climate target if it maintains its efforts. Without additional steps, the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045 remains out of reach. The Expert Council on Climate Issues reiterates the urgency for further climate protection measures.
The report also does not contain new information regarding the status of existing climate protection programs in Germany. The current projections for 2025 indicate that the national target of a minimum 65 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 could be narrowly achieved with existing measures. However, the current projections for 2025 show that additional measures are necessary to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2045.
The total annual emissions decreased by 3.4 percent compared to the previous year, according to the 2024 climate protection report. This decrease is a positive step towards reducing emissions, but it is clear that more needs to be done to meet the 2045 carbon neutrality goal.
In conclusion, to meet the 2045 carbon neutrality goal, Germany must significantly increase electrification and sustainable mobility in transport, substantially retrofit and upgrade building heating systems, and implement rigorous carbon removal technologies and policies. These combined efforts address current gaps identified by government reports that existing measures are insufficient beyond 2040. The Expert Council on Climate Issues emphasizes that further measures are urgently needed to ensure Germany's commitment to a sustainable future.
[1] Source for transport sector measures [2] Source for building sector measures [3] Source for carbon dioxide removal measures [4] Source for combined efforts and existing measures [5] Source for legislative reforms on carbon capture and storage infrastructure
- The German federal government's report on achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 highlights the importance of environmental-science policies and legislation in the transport sector, suggesting an increase in electrification and sustainable mobility, such as accelerating the transition to electric vehicles and phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles.
- In the building sector, the report emphasizes the need for implementing strategies like accelerating the installation of heat pumps and expanding heating networks to connect buildings, while also calling for deeper energy efficiency improvements and climate-friendly heating solutions to reduce emissions.
- To neutralize residual emissions, the report indicates that carbon dioxide removal measures will be crucial, with a focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) through land use and technological solutions, as well as regulatory changes to enable large-scale carbon capture and storage infrastructure.
