Dear reader,
To get an impression of what the new federal government has set out to do in terms of climate policy, a single number is enough: 30. It is on page 57 of the coalition agreement and indicates how much electricity is to be generated in offshore wind farms by 2030.
It must be "at least" 30 gigawatts, write the SPD, Greens and FDP.
Currently it is just 7.8.
You have to know: It took a good ten years to reach the current level - now more than double that should be added in less time.
Most of the passages in this long paper, which give specific figures for the energy and transport transition, go in the same direction: the pace should be increased significantly.
With photovoltaics, electric cars or (»ideally«) with the coal phase-out.
What the traffic light parties have presented here is probably the most ambitious German climate protection government program in German history.
But applause doesn't really come up - if you look at what Chancellor Olaf Scholz's team should actually achieve.
Because compared to what has been done so far for the climate change, the new plan is a giant leap forward.
Taking into account where the country should be in a few years' time, it is still too small a step.
Progress in cutting the departments
Namely, the claim to make a fair share of national policy to achieve the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to pre-industrial times is likely to be missed. At least that's the verdict of several experts (read more about this here). With the aim in mind, the first impression of the traffic light plan is once again: too little and too slow.
In the distribution and construction of the departments, however, the three partners have at least made progress that should still pay off. In the past few years, climate policy has been regularly ground up between the participating ministries of the environment, economy, transport and agriculture, some of which have fought against each other. In the new constellation, the economy and the climate are in the hands of the designated Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, the environment and agriculture departments have also been assigned to the Greens.
In these four areas, one can hope for synergies rather than blockages. What the SPD is advancing in the building ministry, which is extremely important in terms of climate policy, will be seen, but the greatest uncertainty factor is the ministry of transport, which will be under the leadership of the FDP in the future. Will the designated Minister Volker Wissing initiate the change or continue the course of Andreas Scheuer?
In view of the size of the change of government - the CDU is out of the government after 16 years as chancellor, the first three-party alliance at federal level starts work - a swan song for the 1.5-degree-compliant traffic light policy would be premature.
After all, a coalition agreement is not a script, but merely a record of program points that you want to achieve in any case.
After all, you can also go beyond that.
It is by no means impossible that this will actually happen.
If you like, we will inform you once a week about the most important things about the climate crisis - stories, research results and the latest developments on the biggest topic of our time. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The topics of the week
Climate protection plans of the traffic light coalition: Is that enough for 1.5 degrees?
The coalition agreement goes in the right direction, say experts: an early end to coal and the expansion of renewable energies.
But can the climate goals really be achieved in this way - or is it a »GroKo with a green paint«?
Annalena Baerbock on the traffic lights and the next cabinet: "This is where you get to know each other
personally
"
Annalena Baerbock is to become Germany's first female foreign minister.
She spoke to SPIEGEL about coalition negotiations late into the night, missed power options and her new job.
FDP leader Lindner on the Tripartite Coalition: "People want to no longer be bothered" with arguments
last Finance: Here explains Christian Lindner, as the traffic lights to pull together and he wants to pay for all the reforms, why he calls for further contact restrictions - and how it is ordered to his English.
Traffic light climate policy: "There is a lack of consistency"
The coalition agreement has one major weakness, warns Potsdam climate economist Ottmar Edenhofer: There is no clear concept for increasing the cost of CO₂.
Interview with activist Tadzio Müller: "Whoever prevents climate protection creates the green RAF"
Will the climate protests become militant if they have no effect?
Yes, out of self-defense, warns the longtime activist Tadzio Müller.
It is up to society whether this will lead to an underground movement.
New modeling for emissions: the earth could warm up by 2.9 degrees by 2100
Researchers have calculated the most likely course of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the century, based on today's climate policy.
A temperature rise of less than two degrees is almost impossible.
Climate history: Arctic Ocean has been warming since the beginning of the 20th century
An analysis of drill cores shows that temperatures in the Arctic Ocean rose earlier than expected.
However, the study should by no means be viewed as a questioning of the climate models, the researchers write.
New youth study: Climate protection?
But not without my car.
Climate change, pension security, renewal of the country: according to a new study, these are basically the most important issues for young people.
When it comes to concrete action, however, convenience reigns supreme.
New solar boom in Germany: this is how the solar revolution can still succeed
Every facade, every car roof should produce energy in the future - the German solar industry is experiencing a rapid upswing.
The big advantage over the past: solar power is now unrivaled in terms of price.
BMW, VW and Mercedes under fire: Plug-in hybrids jeopardize climate targets
They are heavy, consume more fuel, but are subsidized lavishly: plug-in hybrids.
A study warns that the success of rolling sham packs is slowing down electromobility.
CDU politician Sütterlin-Waack: How harmful is housing for the climate, Minister?
In order for Germany to become CO₂-neutral, homeowners should insulate more and more, say experts.
The Kiel construction minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack is skeptical - and has a different idea.
Stay confident
Your Kurt Stukenberg
