The German government wants to put the expansion of renewables to the test with a "reality check." One reason: electricity consumption is not growing as quickly as planned. The EU Commission now wants to show that politicians can take countermeasures.
By Manuel Berkel
Under the law, Germany’s federal administration is meant to serve as a model for decarbonization and reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions within five years. An initial government climate report shows this will be a challenge.
By Bernhard Pötter
The state authority responsible has deemed gas drilling off Borkum to be "in the overriding public interest" in order to reduce dependence on energy imports. Lower Saxony’s Environment Minister Christian Meyer has protested the decision, while Deutsche Umwelthilfe is considering legal action.
By Kai Schöneberg
In the UK, Conservatives are criticizing the Labour government’s net-zero target. Phasing out oil and gas production amounts to "economic disarmament," said Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.
By Lisa Kuner
New Zealand has lifted its ban on new offshore drilling – but experts doubt any new gas will ever be extracted. The controversial decision is seen as driven primarily by domestic politics.
By Marc Daalder
In their coalition agreement, the CDU/CSU and SPD pledged to "abolish the heating law." Four months later, however, what exactly this means remains unclear, according to new documents.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Once again this year, the Federal Network Agency does not need to order the shutdown of coal power plants. The capacity of plants that have voluntarily gone offline is already so high that the 2028 target has effectively been met.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
Two new studies show that the risk of an AMOC collapse is greater than previously thought. Even in model scenarios with medium CO₂ emissions, the risk is significant. Climate scientists are calling for a rapid reduction of CO₂ emissions.
By Nico Beckert
The hydrogen ramp-up is at risk. Even fully planned projects are being canceled due to incalculable risks. Yet green hydrogen is crucial not only for the climate but also for security. The German government must now provide planning certainty.
By Carolin Dähling
With a new department for international climate policy, the environment ministry is regaining the climate remit it lost in 2021. The foreign and development ministries will remain involved, with the economics ministry contributing mainly indirectly.
By Bernhard Pötter
