China has published the draft of its 15th Five-Year Plan. Its climate ambitions are lower than in the previous five-year period. At the same time, however, the People’s Republic wants to establish new green drivers of growth.
By Nico Beckert
With the Council’s approval, the European Union’s climate target for 2040 has now been formally adopted. A study by the University of Graz shows how member states could distribute their contributions to emissions reduction across regions according to principles of fairness.
By Lukas Bayer
Climate policy is playing only a minor role in upcoming state elections in Baden-Württemberg. The Green Party-led government likes to present itself as a pioneer in this area. However, emissions are falling far too slowly to achieve the planned climate neutrality target by 2040.
By Bernhard Pötter
Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider and the Federal Environment Agency remain silent on the government’s plans for the Building Modernization Act (GMG). Among other things, the way protections for renters have been designed is likely to be a key factor in the law’s impact on CO₂ emissions.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt
15 and 40 years after the Fukushima and Chernobyl nuclear disasters, politicians and some sections of industry are promising a massive expansion in nuclear energy to meet climate targets. However, a lack of industrial capacity, companies and funding means it is simply not going to happen.
By Bernhard Pötter
Changing economic sentiment: The Sustainable Transformation Monitor shows companies reporting progress on social and environmental transformation. At the same time, more firms see politics as an obstacle. The share of companies with climate targets is rising.
By Ferdinand Fröhlich and Kai Schöneberg
The European Investment Bank is testing new ways to boost energy efficiency: Small and midsize enterprises would no longer have to buy equipment, but could instead rent it as a service from third-party partners.
By Nick Nuttall
Germany’s Economy Ministry is planning to end the feed-in tariff for small solar systems. Instead, utility-scale ground-mounted PV is to be expanded more strongly. Whether that keeps the 22-gigawatt expansion target within reach is, however, doubtful.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt and Nico Beckert
Germany’s governing parties argue that the country’s climate targets remain achievable even if gas- and oil-fired heating systems continue to be installed. A proposed green gas quota is intended to offset the resulting emissions. However, many experts urge caution.
By Malte Kreutzfeldt and Nico Beckert
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
