Germany to adjust heating law to allow fossil fuels

"The Heating Act eroded trust and divided society. We are setting a new course. Everyone can now decide for themselves how they want to heat their house or apartment—even in existing buildings. The new regulation allows for new heating systems using oil or natural gas to be installed, but also requires that climate-friendly fuels will be mixed in with the gas and oil."

"As of 2024, 56% of homes were heated with gas, and 17% were heated with oil. The previous government sought to tackle the issue of home heating through a 2021 coalition agreement deciding that new heating systems installed in houses and apartments should operate using 65% renewable energies instead of gas or oil, expected to usher in a new era of renewable heat pumps."

Germany, traditionally viewed as a climate protection pioneer, has struggled with emissions from transportation and residential heating. As of 2024, 56% of homes use gas heating and 17% use oil. The previous coalition government established a 2021 goal requiring new heating systems to operate on 65% renewable energy, promoting heat pump adoption. However, the new center-right CDU-led government is scrapping these rules through a draft Gebaudemodernisierungsgesetz (GMG) law. The new regulation permits installation of gas and oil heating systems while requiring climate-friendly fuels to be blended with conventional fuels. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche cited the previous heating mandate as eroding public trust and dividing society, emphasizing individual choice in heating decisions.

Read at www.dw.com