Germany has met its climate target for 2025, but the achievement was recorded with a minimal margin. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) reported that the country's greenhouse gas emissions fell by just 0.1% last year, amounting to 648.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent. This figure is only about 12.8 million tons below the established limit.
However, internal disagreements over climate policy are intensifying within the country. The conservative government of Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which came to power in May 2025, is pushing climate protection to the background. Economy Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU) wants to build new gas-fired power plants, and the previous government's law promoting environmentally friendly home heating systems has been significantly watered down.
Minister Schneider emphasized the need for renewed momentum in climate policy. He stated that 2025 was a relatively windless year, leading to increased reliance on gas-fired power plants, and the colder winter required more heating. Germany has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 65% of 1990 levels by 2030, with the current figure standing at 48%.
Transportation and buildings remain the primary areas of concern for German climate protection. Last year, environmentally friendly electric cars accounted for only about 19% of new vehicle registrations, indicating the country's lag behind other nations. In the heating sector, the government reversed course by overturning previous legislation and once again permitting the installation of new gas and oil heating systems.
The President of the Federal Environment Agency, Dirk Messner, highlighted key focuses including a successful energy transition, continued expansion of renewable energies, electrification of transportation and buildings, and a targeted ramp-up of the hydrogen economy. However, the 3.8% drop in industrial emissions last year represents only a limited gain, attributed to a weak economy and high energy costs in energy-intensive sectors.
Government disagreements are deepening. Minister Schneider aims to bundle necessary measures into a new climate protection law by March 25, but he is likely to face a tough battle with Economy Minister Reiche and Chancellor Merz. They are demanding that the European Commission relax legislation phasing out internal combustion engines and allow new gasoline or diesel cars to be registered even after 2035, which would further complicate achieving climate goals.
Source: www.dw.com