Cabinet program to close emissions gap

26.03.2026

Source: E & M powernews

In Berlin, the German government has adopted a climate protection program with 67 measures to close the emissions gap by 2030 and reduce fossil fuel imports.

The German government adopted the Climate Action Program 2026 in Berlin on 25 March. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) presented the package of measures after the cabinet meeting. According to the Federal Government, the program is intended to help achieve the climate protection targets by 2030 and reduce dependence on oil and gas imports. The background to this is an existing gap in emissions, particularly in the buildings and transport sectors.

In total, the German government is providing additional funding of around eight billion euros for the implementation of the program. These come from the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF) and from a special infrastructure fund. According to the German government, the measures should also have an economic impact, for example by reducing expenditure on energy imports.

The program comprises 67 measures which, according to the German government, should save more than 25 million additional tonnes of CO2 by 2030. The German government is thus fulfilling a requirement under the Climate Protection Act, according to which it must present a corresponding program one year after the start of the legislative period. Germany is aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. According to current data, this target has not yet been achieved.

Specific measures

One focus is on the expansion of renewable energies. For example, the German government is planning additional tenders for onshore wind energy with a capacity of 12,000 MW (we reported). According to the federal government, this could save around 6.5 million tons of CO2 in 2030. At the same time, lower electricity generation costs should further displace the use of natural gas in power generation.
The German government is also focusing on electrification in the industrial sector. New funding instruments are intended to help companies switch to climate-friendly technologies. According to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, this could save around 4.3 million tons of CO2 by 2030.

In the transport sector, the program includes socially staggered funding for electric cars. A total of around 800,000 vehicles are to be subsidized. This will be supplemented by measures to expand the charging infrastructure and the continuation of the Deutschlandticket. According to the German government, these measures together could save several million tons of CO2.

For the building sector, the federal government is planning additional funding for the expansion of heating networks. From 2035, 3.5 billion euros are to be made available to increase the proportion of renewable energies and waste heat in district heating. According to the ministry, this could save around 2.3 million tons of CO2 in 2030.

Climate protection as a driver of modernization

Schneider emphasized that climate protection is not the cause of economic problems. Rather, he said, the programme could help to modernize the economy and make it less dependent on fossil fuels. At the same time, the Minister conceded that further progress was necessary in order to achieve the climate protection targets.

Representatives from industry and associations expressed some criticism. Peter Adrian, President of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, explained that there was a gap between ambition and reality when it came to climate targets. In his view, the program is based on detailed specifications that could cause additional costs.

There was also differentiated criticism from the energy sector. Ursula Heinen-Esser from the German Renewable Energy Federation (BEE) welcomed additional tenders for wind energy, but pointed out possible conflicts of objectives with other energy policy plans of the German government. Measures would have to be better coordinated in order to be effective.

Julia Bläsius, Director of Agora Energiewende Deutschland, warned that climate progress must be combined with strong tenant protection in the Building Modernization Act (GMG). This should prevent landlords from being able to install new oil and gas heating systems at the expense of tenants. A reliable CO2 price in European emissions trading is also essential for the effectiveness of the measures, which would also secure income for the KTF.

According to the German government, the 2026 climate protection program is intended to help make Germany climate-neutral by 2045. However, whether the planned measures will be sufficient to completely close the emissions gap by 2030 remains controversial among experts. German environmental aid organization Umwelthilfe has announced that it will take legal action against the programme, for example to enforce a speed limit.

The 2026 climate protection program is available for download as a PDF.

Author: Susanne Harmsen