The federal cabinet adopted the “Energy transition and climate action - challenges and paths of transformation” report today. The report is a building block in the development of the German Sustainable Development Strategy, and focuses in particular on the international dimension of climate action.

Climate change mitigation is a central global challenge. Germany and the EU are living up to their responsibility to make their contribution towards this. The report highlights the interplay of international, European and national climate policy in the tackling of this challenge. With a view to the energy transition, the Federal Government has been working quickly to remove barriers to the new-build of renewable energy and the necessary grid infrastructure since the beginning of this legislative term. Current estimates show that the measures that have been taken are having an impact, and that Germany is on course for the first time to achieve its overall national climate targets. If it is to meet the European targets, further efforts will be needed from Germany in the buildings and transport sectors.

State Secretary Sven Giegold said: Germany is on course for the first time to achieve its overall national climate targets. We have largely closed the climate gap up to 2030 that was a legacy of the Grand Coalition. This is shown by the report that was adopted today. At the same time, we are assuming that Germany’s industry will start expanding again. We are continuing to aim at a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that is as efficient and socially just as possible. Here, it is important to work at all levels: national, European and international. We are backing this up with the European Green Deal, the EU’s Fit for 55 and the concomitant expansion of the European emissions trading system, as well as our national measures and rigorous orientation to the targets in the Federal Climate Change Act.

With a view to further need for action, the report is focusing not least on technical and social innovations. These are needed so that cheap alternatives to fossil fuels can be found in as many areas as possible, and so that the transition can take place in a socially just way via societal participation. Also, if the efforts in Germany and the EU are to result in a clear global reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, there will be need for greater weight to be placed on international climate policy. The decisions by COP28 sealed the move away from fossil fuels, the expansion of renewables, and increased energy efficiency. The report illustrates measures taken by the Federal Government to support the attainment of climate ambitions around the world, including the Federal Government’s climate foreign policy strategy and the Climate Club, green lead markets and the Just Energy Transition.

The report (in German) can be found here.