Climate policy
Review 2025: the bright spots in climate policy
Even if major developments are heading in the wrong direction, there have been some positive trends in climate policy: The annual COPs remain important, implementation is shifting to grassroots levels, climate lawsuits are successful and adaptation is proving worthwhile.
By Bernhard Pötter
Climate policy
Review 2025: The missed opportunities of climate policy
Rarely in recent years has climate action faced as much pressure as it has in 2025, both in Germany and internationally. The United States is leading a political rollback: Fossil fuel projects are becoming more attractive, while warnings from the scientific community are being ignored.
By Bernhard Pötter
ETS 2
Social Climate Fund: Germany still does not have a plan
The European Social Climate Fund will be launched on Jan. 1 to offset the costs of carbon pricing. Member states must decide how to spend the money in advance; but Germany has not presented its plan yet.
By Lukas Knigge
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Energy transition monitoring: Why the BMWE justification for changes to the report is not convincing
The German Ministry of Economics has provided an explanation as to why a key monitoring report on the energy transition was changed in several places shortly before its publication. However, this contradicts internal emails.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Building sector
Building sector: How the refurbishment issue is dividing the climate scene
A new study suggests that the need to insulate buildings is less important than currently planned, says the Climate Neutrality Foundation. The additional energy requirement of old buildings is insignificant, the study claims. This has sparked widespread opposition.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Combustion engine off
Combustion engine phase-out: What the Commission’s proposals mean and what questions remain unanswered
The EU Commission has adopted a comprehensive Automotive Package. The CO₂ fleet regulation is to be relaxed, with some dubious compensation options. However, there are also new rules for climate-friendly company car fleets.
By Lukas Knigge and Markus Grabitz
CBAM
CBAM: Commission plans expansion and fund for exporters
Shortly before the launch of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), the Commission is proposing far-reaching measures to mitigate its impact on companies. However, criticism from industry remains.
By Lukas Knigge
EU climate target 2040
Flasbarth: “No serious weaknesses in the 2040 climate target”
In an interview with Table.Briefings, German State Secretary for the Environment Jochen Flasbarth considers the trilogue agreement on the EU’s 2040 climate target ambitious but correct, despite international emissions allowances. He is also not entirely disappointed with the outcome of COP30.
By Lukas Knigge
Decarbonization
Decarbonization: How net zero is progressing in key UN countries — Part 2
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, while the global transition away from fossil fuels is making progress, it is not yet fully established. This is what a new comprehensive report from 21 major economies shows. Part 2: Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan.
By Bernhard Pötter
Decarbonization
Decarbonization: How net zero is progressing in key UN countries — Part 2
Ten years after the Paris Agreement, while the global transition away from fossil fuels is making progress, it is not yet fully established. This is what a new comprehensive report from 21 major economies shows. Part 2: Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan.
By Bernhard Pötter
Climate (English)
Table of Contents - Edition 332 from December 23rd, 2025
- Energy transition monitoring: Why the BMWE justification for changes to the report is not convincing
- Social Climate Fund: Germany still does not have a plan
- Review 2025: The missed opportunities of climate policy
- Review 2025: the bright spots in climate policy
- Constitutional complaint on climate policy: NGOs criticize German Government’s statement
- Colombia: State must support climate-displaced persons
- Must Reads: Swiss court allows a climate lawsuit Holcim to go ahead
- Documents: Trilogue agreement on the EU’s 2040 climate target
- Opinion: Tackling energy poverty with good climate policy
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Bernhard Pötter
Redaktionsleiter Climate.Table
Nico Beckert
Redakteur (Wirtschaft, Finanzen, Neue Seidenstraße, chin. Klimapolitik)
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Redakteur (Wirtschaft, Energie, Finanzen)
Alexandra Endres
Redakteurin (Klima, Umwelt, Lateinamerika, Klimaklagen)
Lukas Knigge
Redakteur (Klima- und Umweltpolitik, Clean Industry, internationale Klimadiplomatie)
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