German Government to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2045... 5 Years Ahead of Previous Plan

"Relieve the Burden on the Younger Generation" Constitutional Court Ruling Accepted + 'No.1 in Approval Ratings' Green Party Checked

Olaf Scholz, German Minister of Finance
Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] The German conservative coalition government announced a new climate change bill on the 5th (local time) aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Although this follows the ruling by the German Federal Constitutional Court on the 29th of last month, it also appears to be intended to curb the Green Party, which has risen to first place in party support ratings just over four months before the general election.

According to major foreign media, Olaf Scholz, Germany's Finance Minister, stated at a press conference that greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by 65% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. He further announced plans to reduce emissions by 88% by 2040 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. Minister Scholz explained that this moves up the timeline for achieving carbon neutrality by five years compared to the previous plan.

The existing climate change law, agreed upon in 2019 by the ruling Christian Democratic Union and its coalition partner the Social Democratic Party, aimed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

The new climate change law includes measures to expand the use of renewable energy and raise carbon emission permit prices faster than originally planned to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more quickly.

Environment Minister Svenja Schulze stated that Germany's current carbon dioxide emissions have already been reduced by more than 40% compared to 1990, but this bill plans to reduce them even further. She said, "This bill is a fair proposal for the younger generation as it does not place the greatest burden on future generations," adding, "Each generation will take responsibility for climate change in ten-year increments."

Earlier, on the 29th of last month, the German Constitutional Court ruled that the government must revise the 2019 climate change law. The court pointed out that the greenhouse gas reduction plans after 2030 are insufficient and that this places a burden on future generations. It ordered the revision of the climate change law by the end of next year to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 without passing the burden of climate change onto the younger generation.

Along with the court ruling, the sense of crisis that the government might lose power in the September 26 general election has increased the need for climate change amendments. Recent polls show that the Green Party, which opposes nuclear power and advocates peace, environment, and new social movements, has surged ahead of the ruling Christian Democratic Union to become the top party in support ratings.

Ministers Scholz and Schulze stated that the bill is expected to receive cabinet approval next week.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.