Habeck names a schedule for climate protection measures - and puts pressure on Bavaria rule

Created: 01/11/2022, 02:05 PM

From: Andreas Schmid

Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck presented his climate program on Tuesday.

© Odd Andersen / AFP

Minister Robert Habeck comments on the state of affairs with regard to climate protection.

The starting position is bad and more speed is urgently needed.

Berlin - Germany's climate targets were missed last year, and it will probably be difficult in 2022 as well.

The new economic and climate protection minister Robert Habeck (Greens) took stock.

He wanted to "start with a look over the shoulder where we stand in the field of climate protection and energy policy," said the Vice Chancellor on Tuesday at a press conference in Berlin.

According to Habeck, compliance with the climate targets begins “with a considerable backlog”.

Therefore one has to act.

The new head of the “super ministry” promises improvement.

That means: new laws and more wind and solar systems.

Habeck: Germany threatens to miss climate targets

In terms of CO2 emissions, special effects made it possible to meet the reduction target of minus 40 percent in the Corona year 2020. Last year, however, this effect disappeared again *. Habeck anticipated an increase in emissions of four percent or 25 million tons for 2021. The trend is "going in the wrong direction," said Habeck.

According to Habeck, Germany will “clearly miss” the 40 percent reduction in emissions in 2021.

This discrepancy will increase again in 2030.

"Expressed in figures, that's 200 million tons too much and because we then only have 400 million tons of budget, it's 50 percent over." of minus 65 percent compared to 1990.

Video: Habeck - Germany will likely miss its 2022 and 2023 climate targets

Habeck wants two new climate laws this year

Germany must therefore act “more efficiently and quickly” in the fight against climate change. The federal government is therefore planning an “ambitious work program” including two large packages. A first package of measures should be decided around Easter. It should bundle the immediately effective measures and be implemented in parliament by the summer break. Another package should then follow in the summer and be approved by parliament in the second half of the year.

The next few years are crucial.

The first thing is to create the legal basis.

Then the concrete implementation is on the agenda.

Germany must triple its efforts "in all areas" and significantly promote the expansion of renewable energies.

Far too little has happened here in recent years, especially with the expansion of wind energy.

"We have managed to bring renewable energies to 42 percent of the electricity supply in Germany over the past 30 years," said Habeck.

This proportion should increase to 80 percent by 2030.

Germany now only has eight years left for this, said Habeck with the help of several prepared images.

Had some graphics with me to illustrate: Economics Minister Robert Habeck.

© Kay Nietfeld / dpa

Habeck's immediate climate measures: pressure on Bavaria rule

Habeck * now wants to initiate comprehensive immediate measures.

The tender volumes for renewable electricity from wind and sun are to be increased and the course is to be set for more solar systems.

For that you need two percent of the area of ​​Germany.

“In fact, only 0.5 percent is shown.” Habeck's demand: “We need more space, of course.” That is why we have to say goodbye to the distance rules in some federal states.

The so-called 10h rule currently applies in Bavaria.

That means: A wind turbine needs a distance of at least 10 times its height to the next settlement.

Usually this is two kilometers, which makes the construction of wind turbines very difficult.

In addition, a “solar obligation on new buildings” is to be enshrined in law, as it is called in the ministry. The coalition agreement states that a solar system should be compulsory for new commercial buildings with suitable roof surfaces, and that it should become "the rule" for private new buildings. This goal caused skepticism among the coalition partner. The FDP endorses the rule for commercial buildings, but slowed down in the private sector. "I am very skeptical about an obligation for private homes and apartment buildings," said parliamentary group vice-president Lukas Köhler of the

.

There was also criticism from Deutsche Umwelthilfe.

Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner commented to the dpa: “The package of measures presented by Climate Protection Minister Habeck contains some urgently needed measures such as raising the expansion targets for renewable energies and the requirement to have solar roofs for new buildings.

Without a consistent expansion of renewables, the conversion of energy-intensive industry to green hydrogen will remain a pious wish.

There are no concrete measures, especially in the areas of transport, recycling and agriculture. ”