Dear reader,
When the traffic light government presented its freshly negotiated coalition agreement at the end of November, one could really get the impression that they wanted to tackle climate protection.
224 days have passed since then, time for us to take a closer look at where the hope has been fulfilled and where not.
If you only go through the news of the past few weeks, the balance sheet is alarmingly sober:
The expansion of wind power on land did not accelerate in the first half of the year, and permits are even declining.
With the tank discount on diesel and petrol, the coalition is subsidizing the combustion of fossil fuels with three billion euros.
The complete end for the internal combustion engine by 2035, which should have come across Europe, was watered down on a German initiative.
At the G7 meeting in Elmau, Chancellor Olaf Scholz successfully campaigned for the temporary termination of an international agreement intended to stop public investment in fossil fuels.
And a speed limit?
That had not survived the coalition negotiations.
According to the Chancellor, it is still not an issue.
SPIEGEL editors in the respective specialist areas delved deeper and analyzed the plans, progress and setbacks of Scholz, Habeck, Wissing & Co.
The result is a climate certificate that awards grades in six core disciplines.
The balance sheet can be described as mixed at best - at school it would be said: transfer at risk.
Except that the fight against the climate crisis is about more than achieving the class goal.
It's about saving the planet.
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 issue of our time. You can subscribe to the newsletter here.
The SPIEGEL climate certificate
Transfer at risk
It's testimony time: where is the traffic light in the fight against the climate catastrophe?
Where is it making good progress, where is its performance lacking?
Scholz, Habeck, Wissing – who is top of the class, who has detention?
Experts from the editorial department award grades.
Wind power – »good«: woe, woe, woe, when I see the end
The expansion of wind power in Germany is still languishing.
Now the traffic light coalition wants to speed things up.
How this can succeed - and why there is a dispute.
Agriculture - almost "poor": So many cattle, that's madness
Fewer cows, fewer pigs: In order for German agriculture to achieve its climate goals, it would have to cut its meat production dramatically.
The government is trying to enforce this in a roundabout way.
Coal phase-out – »inadequate«: The painful farewell to the dirtiest energy
source Lignite and hard coal of all things will probably be burned in Germany longer than planned.
Energy can hardly be generated in a way that is more harmful to the climate.
Why the exit from coal threatens to be delayed and what that means.
Mobility turnaround – almost »inadequate«: Two people are jostling behind the wheel, but nobody is driving. There is
hardly an issue where Germans get as emotional as when it comes to cars – and the federal government suffers loading problems when it comes to e-mobility.
Will the traffic light turn around in time?
Moorland protection – still »satisfactory«: How Germany is digging its waters away
Germany's moorlands are among the biggest climate killers: they emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases every year, in some places more than industry.
How can this be changed and how is it progressing?
Turn to hydrogen – »good«: wildly determined to use the miracle cure
It contains a lot of energy and can be produced in a climate-neutral manner: hydrogen could be a miracle weapon in the fight against the crisis.
What is still wrong.
The topics of the week
Reactions to the taxonomy: “EU climate policy is now permanently weakened”
Nuclear power and gas will be considered sustainable in the EU in the future – the industry welcomes this. Environmentalists, on the other hand, are disappointed: the decision would “greenwash everyone into Nirvana”, writes Luisa Neubauer.
The overview.
Interview with finance professor on taxonomy: “Natural gas is not sustainable just because coal is even dirtier”
Investments in natural gas and nuclear power are sustainable, the EU Parliament has decided.
Finance professor Volker Brühl says: This is a mistake with consequences for investors - and unnecessary kowtowing to the nuclear industry.
»Eco-label« for green investments: Greenwashing is now allowed
The EU Parliament has waved the taxonomy through – also for gas and nuclear power.
This decision is not just a gift to Vladimir Putin, it misjudges reality.
Energy supply infrastructure: How can the natural gas network be converted to hydrogen?
The EU is now labeling some gas projects as sustainable if they fully convert to renewable energy -- most notably hydrogen -- by 2035.
Which hurdles have to be overcome.
Glaciologist on glacier break-off: "We've never seen it like this"
Scientists were also surprised by the violence of the Marmolada glacier break-off in the Dolomites.
What does that have to do with the climate crisis - and do the larger Alpine glaciers still have a chance of survival?
German climate targets: low tide on the CO₂ account
The key figure for climate protection is still hardly talked about.
No wonder: The concept of the CO₂ budget allows researchers to set a benchmark for climate protection plans.
Now there are new numbers.
stay confident
Yours, Kurt Stukenberg
