Fragmented CO₂ pricing in the European Union could be improved to support more efficient climate policy. Experts call for greater harmonization, arguing that the direct exchange of emission allowances could lower prices and allocate resources more effectively.
By Lukas Knigge
The German government intends to amend the rules governing associations’ right to bring legal action. Environmental organizations argue that the proposed changes would jeopardize their right to bring legal action and thereby nature conservation and climate action.
By Alexandra Endres
Legal experts express caution about the planned reform of the Building Energy Act. Their assessment could lend support to potential constitutional complaints against the federal government on climate grounds. European Union law may also pose obstacles to the government’s plans.
By Alexandra Endres and Manuel Berkel
Fragmented carbon pricing in the EU is an obstacle to efficient climate actions measures. Experts are calling for greater harmonization, which could reduce prices and better distribute resources through the direct exchange of emission rights.
By Lukas Knigge
After a long dispute, the CDU/CSU and SPD have largely agreed on the key points of the GEG reform. The CDU/CSU seems to have prevailed with its demand to abolish the 65% rule for renewable heating energy. Instead, a green gas quota is to be introduced.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt and Nico Beckert
The German government’s Climate Action Program is due to be presented in four weeks – yet five million metric tons of CO₂ reductions are still unaccounted for, along with several billion euros in required investment. Policymakers remain divided over which sectors must deliver the most substantial emission cuts. And then there is the issue of the Building Energy Act.
By Bernhard Pötter
Thermal batteries convert renewable electricity into storable heat and steam, enabling the replacement of fossil fuels in industrial processes. Pilot projects in the chemical, food and cement industries have demonstrated the technology’s significant potential.
By Nico Beckert
The Climate Union is represented on the CDU’s Executive Committee for the first time: Wiebke Winter was elected to the party’s top leadership body with 67% of the vote. The climate policy motion, which had been highly controversial in the run-up to the vote, was adopted in a significantly watered-down form and with little debate.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Ottmar Edenhofer, head of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), aims to make carbon dioxide removal commercially viable using clean-up certificates. PIK has now quantified the potential benefits of the instrument – but experts have voiced criticism of the concept.
By Kai Schöneberg
