Germany's Climate Protection measures are barely on target

"Germany's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 0.1 % last year. To calculate this, experts convert all greenhouse gases into so-called CO2 equivalents. And for 2025, the calculation showed that total emissions stood at 648.9 million tons of equivalents only about 12.8 million tons below the limit."

"Overall, progress has been too slow. There are many reasons for this. 2025 was a relatively windless year, so gas-fired power plants had to step in more often. The winter was also colder, so more heating was needed. Germany has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 65% of 1990 levels by 2030. So far, it is down to 48 %."

"With the conservative-led government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which came to power in May 2025, climate protection seems to have taken a back seat: Economy Minister Katherina Reiche of Merz's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) wants to build new gas-fired power plants. The previous government's law to promote environmentally friendly home heating systems has been significantly watered down."

Germany, once a climate protection pioneer, faces a significant shift in environmental policy under Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative government that took power in May 2025. The new administration plans to construct gas-fired power plants and has weakened previous legislation promoting environmentally friendly home heating systems. Germany's 2025 greenhouse gas emissions decreased by only 0.1%, reaching 648.9 million tons of CO2 equivalents, just barely meeting legal limits. Environmental factors including low wind conditions and a cold winter contributed to increased reliance on gas power and heating. Germany has committed to reducing emissions to 65% of 1990 levels by 2030 but currently stands at only 48% reduction, requiring accelerated climate action to meet future targets.

Read at www.dw.com