Germany's 2045 Climate Neutrality Goal at Risk: Expert Council Warns
The window for Germany to achieve climate neutrality by 2045 is narrowing rapidly. The Climate Protection Act's ambitious goals are under threat due to a lack of political and social courage. Despite multiple actors and initiatives working to overcome barriers, the expert council warns that the 2040 emission reduction target may be missed by a significant margin.
The most crucial players in Germany's climate protection efforts include municipal actors like local environment and traffic departments, climate protection managers, and city councils. Organizations such as the German Association of Cities, the German Association of Towns and Municipalities, and the German District Association also play vital roles through initiatives like the Communal Climate Conference and the National Climate Protection Initiative. Federal and state governments provide support and policy frameworks, while international cooperation and climate finance contribute to broader climate action.
Multiple factors hinder consistent action, including the complexity of climate issues, time expenditure, and societal acceptance. While renewable energies have become cheaper and competitive, progress remains slow. Low-income households are disproportionately affected by climate change and have fewer means to combat it. Current transformation studies, however, show pathways to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality in Germany by 2045.
Germany has reduced greenhouse gases by 48% compared to 1990 by the end of 2024. Despite this progress, strengthened international cooperation is necessary to tackle climate change effectively, even amidst geopolitical tensions. With the 2045 climate neutrality goal within reach, it is crucial for all actors to work together and overcome the remaining barriers to achieve this ambitious target.
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