German Agency Warns Against Ending Ban on Fossil Fuel Heating

The Road to Lasting Climate Progress

Politicians, advocates, and even agency leaders sometimes face a difficult decision when it becomes obvious that the road they have chosen leads into a policy cul-de-sac. They can either acknowledge this and turn around to find other routes or they…

German Agency Warns Against Ending Ban on Fossil Fuel Heating

Germany’s Environment Agency warned the incoming government against tossing out a ban on fossil-fuel heating systems, with the nation poised to narrowly miss its 2030 climate targets in the housing and transport sectors.

According to the Federal Environment Agency and the Ministry, Germany achieved its climate target last year. Greenhouse gas emissions, in particular in the energy sector, declined.

According to the Federal Environment Agency, Germany emitted less greenhouse gases in 2024 than the climate targets would have allowed. There is a need for improvement in the construction and transport sector.

Emissions of greenhouse gases continued to decline last year – thanks to more green electricity and less coal power. However, without an increase in electric cars and heat pumps, the climate targets for 2030 are at risk.

Transport is one of the major levers of climate policy. Around a quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to the sector throughout the EU. According to the German statistics office, progress in reducing CO2 by means of better technology is due to higher traffic volumes and the increasing number of highly motorised vehicles.