Germany’s Climate Plan Faces Shortfalls

Germany’s emissions reductions have slowed, while transport and buildings continue to lag and the government’s climate measures face criticism for being insufficiently detailed and based partly on outdated projections.

The government has announced measures including faster wind expansion, electric-vehicle and local-transport support, and greater industrial electrification, but Germany’s Climate Council says they do not yet establish a credible path to climate neutrality. The shortfall could increase compliance costs, weaken Germany’s climate-policy credibility, and prolong dependence on imported fossil fuels.