Climate and energy
Climate action is a top priority in Germany. The Federal Government aims to be a driving force in the energy transformation both at home and abroad, supporting the expansion of renewable energy sources.
Overview
Stopping climate change
The next few years will decide whether or not the global community succeeds in bringing global warming to a halt. To this end, Germany has developed an ambitious climate protection plan and is also collaborating closely with other countries on the issue of climate protection.
Clear climate action goals
Germany aims to become a climate-neutral industrial nation by 2045.
By 2030 Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% compared to 1990.
By 2040 Germany aims to make at least 88% reductions and achieve greenhouse gasneutrality by 2045.
1976
1976
The then German Ministry of Research resolves to build a 100-metre-high large wind power plant (Growian) in north Germany. However, the first experiment with wind power fails and Growian is torn down in 1988.
1987
1987
At Kaiser Wilhelm Koog on the west coast of Schleswig - Holstein, the first German windfarm goes turnkey. Since then, 32 wind turbines have been transforming North Sea wind into electrical power.
1991
1991
The Electricity Feed-In Act regulates the obligation for power utilities to purchase electrical energy from regenerative transformation processes and sets fixed tariffs for the remuneration thereof.
2000
2000
The Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) comes into force. Among other things, it lays the legal basis for prioritising renewable sources when feeding electricity into the national grid.
2011
2011
After the nuclear reactor disaster in Fukushima the German Federal cabinet adopts parameters for energy policy: the exit from nuclear power is to be achieved step by step by 2022 and energy supplies placed on an eco-friendly footing.
2019
2019
In December, the Climate Protection Programme 2030 comes into force, with the help of which the government hopes to achieve climate goals in a way that is both economically sustainable and socially equitable. The core elements of this are the German Climate Protection Act and the new CO2 pricing system for transport and heating applicable from 2021.
2022
2022
The German car industry boosts investments in electric mobility. In July 2022, 80 electric vehicle models made by German manufacturers were available. The Federal Government provides wide-ranging support for the use of electric vehicles. Approval was granted for the millionth electric car in early March 2023.
2024
2024
The law on heat planning and decarbonisation of heating networks comes into force.
Facts and figures
© dpa
Nuclear withdraw took place in 2023.
In 2000, the German government decided to withdraw from nuclear power.
65 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
By 2030, Germany aims to have cut greenhouse gas emissions by 65 % on the level of 1990.
3.4 million photovoltaic systems
In April 2024, these plants generated a nameplate capacity of 81,500 megawatts.
© iStockphoto
30 % less primary energy consumption
By 2030, primary energy consumption in Germany is expected to have fallen by 30 % on 2008 levels.
© stock.adobe.com/peopleimages.com
387,700 jobs in the renewable energies sector
Between 2000 and 2022, the number of “green jobs” more than tripled.
