Press reviews
“Germany is on track” – but there is still a lot wrong with climate policy
Gas is burned off in a mobile flare system – and massive amounts of CO2 are released
© Hendrik Schmidt / DPA
Robert Habeck could hardly contain himself: German emissions have fallen sharply, and the Federal Republic may be able to meet its climate targets for 2030. The press believes that a little more modesty would also be helpful.
The traffic light’s efforts were worth it! This is what it sounds like when Economics Minister Robert Habeck talks about the declining emissions Germany speaks. There is no question that the decline is significant. However, the traffic light government cannot take all the credit for this. After all, their share in the success is small. The press believes that the fact that things have come this far and that Germany can probably meet its climate targets is due to something else.
The reduction in emissions is only partially due to the traffic lights
“Frankfurter Rundschau”: “There is still good news from the traffic lights. Around ten percent less CO2 emissions within just one year. No government has achieved this since 1990, the base year for the accounting. Things are even looking good for the next stage, 2030. According to the Federal Environment Agency’s projection, the German climate target of minus 65 percent compared to 1990 is achievable. Chapeau! It would be nice if we could leave it like that. Because it’s not that simple. The fact that the CO2 load has fallen so sharply is true also on a good traffic light policy, especially when expanding solar and wind power. She cannot claim responsibility for other factors – and if she does, then it is rather embarrassing. It was very warm and the prices for gas and heating oil were high “, so there was little heating. And the economy collapsed. Although this helps the CO2 balance, it is not a climate concept. Above all, it is once again shown that two sectors are failing to meet their climate targets: transport and buildings. The ministries have to change course here.”
“Young World”: “The Federal Republic’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by a good ten percent last year, the most since 1990. This is initially good news, especially since the signs of an unfolding climate crisis are increasing. On closer inspection, however, the proverbial glass is not there once half full. This is because the causes for the sharp decline are usually not sustainable and because the German climate protection targets for 2030, which only appear realistic due to the recent decline, are far from sufficient. For a German contribution to climate protection that is even halfway adequate “The local emissions should fall as much year after year as in 2023 so that they reach zero by the middle of the next decade.”
“New Press”: “Of course it’s good that emissions are currently falling. One of the reasons for this is that the expansion of renewable energies is making such good progress. But the fact that the climate balance is so positive, especially for industry, is also due to the poor economic situation. Where less is being produced , fewer machines are running. This is the side effect of an unresolved crisis.”
“What sounds so positive is just a small ray of hope”
“Rhein-Zeitung”: “With the recent development of greenhouse gas emissions, it must be noted that the course the Federal Government has taken is the right one. Germany can meet its climate targets by 2030 if this path is continued. The permissible emission levels, measured against the targets it has set itself, could even be below the target by 2030 This is a signal that gives rise to optimism. And it should not be talked down by baseless prophecies of doom that decarbonization will lead to the supposed deindustrialization of the country. Without climate protection, the economy and our entire society would suffer much more in the long run. Only with more climate protection “We can secure prosperity and freedom. There is still a lot to be done worldwide to achieve this overarching goal.”
“Straubinger Tagblatt” / “Landshuter Zeitung”: “For the first time ever, the numbers show: ‘Germany is on track.’ – What sounds so positive from Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) is actually just a small ray of hope. There is still a lot wrong with German climate protection policy – especially when it comes to taking companies and citizens along with them. (… ) It cannot be the case that the costs of the energy transition only end up with consumers without relieving them on the other side. This will lead to the majority in society no longer supporting the climate goals at some point. For politics this means: The long-promised climate money must finally come.”
“Nuremberger Zeitung”: “The numbers look good essentially because the industry, especially the construction industry, suffered from a lack of orders and therefore produced less and released fewer pollutants into the air. Anyone who thinks that less economic growth is the solution to saving the climate , wrong. Less growth only leads to: less effort, less innovation. But technical innovations are needed so that growth does not come at the expense of the climate.”