Climate targets missed: Government pumps further billions into building renovation

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Facade work on a house: Saving energy costs money

Photo: Daniel Karmann / dpa

The federal government has decided on a billion dollar program for more climate protection in the building sector.

Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) spoke of unprecedented record sums and money well spent for climate protection and jobs.

An immediate program from mid-2021 had so far earmarked an additional 5.8 billion euros.

Now there is another 5.7 billion euros for the current year.

The measures are necessary because the building sector is lagging behind its climate targets.

From the point of view of an expert council for climate issues set up by the federal government, the previous program was not sufficient to achieve the climate goals.

That is why it has now been improved.

»House builders use the funding.

Until mid-September alone, 10.6 billion euros in funding had been approved, ”said Altmaier.

"We expect approvals of over 15 billion euros for the full year 2021, perhaps up to 18 billion euros." In addition, one billion euros will be made available for climate-friendly social housing for next year.

mmq / Reuters / dpa