DIHK wants to soften climate protection target - study warns against this

01.12.2025

Source: E & M powernews

The DIHK appeals to politicians not to overburden the economy with climate protection. However, a study shows that companies have long been in a state of flux and calls it harmful to row back.

The General Assembly of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) met in Berlin on November 27. In a resolution, it called on politicians not to overburden the economy with climate protection. Although the goal of climate neutrality continues to be supported, the "climate targets should be coordinated more internationally and annual targets should be converted into a more flexible CO2 budget", it states.

A study published by the DIHK entitled "New paths for the energy transition" shows that this would significantly reduce the costs of the energy transition. "The current path of the energy transition in Germany is characterized by detailed state control, partially contradictory goals and a lack of international coordination," explains DIHK President Peter Adrian. The resulting costs and competitive disadvantages are leading to the closure of energy-intensive industries in particular, a reduction in substance across the economy and, as a result, a loss of jobs and prosperity, he said.

Contradictory position from company survey

Another study, which was published on November 28, comes to the opposite conclusion: despite the ongoing economic crisis, turning away from sustainability efforts, for example in the area of climate protection, would be economically counterproductive. This is the conclusion of a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation on competition and resilience in the crisis. According to the study, 60 percent of the companies surveyed have already recognized sustainability as a driver of their business model changes. "It has long been part of the value creation logic," summarizes author Florian Lüdeke-Freund.

According to the study, sustainability has long been a guiding principle that is inextricably linked to competitiveness and resilience. According to the study, a "triple dividend" is the new target. This means maintaining competitiveness and managing sustainability-related challenges, combined with resilience as the third guiding principle. "The classic business case must be rethought and developed into a triple dividend," the author demands.

"Turning back corporate sustainability efforts in Germany would be a costly mistake," warns Lüdeke-Freund. The study therefore advises proactive stakeholder management and the involvement of previously less considered stakeholder groups such as civil society, banks, investors and the younger generation.

DIHK fears the costs of transformation

The DIHK study "New paths for the energy transition" in turn shows that the total system costs in Germany could rise to up to 5.4 trillion euros by 2049 if the course remains unchanged. According to the authors, this will place an increasing burden on companies and weaken the economic basis. As domestic renewable energies are often more expensive, the study calls for greater efficiency in their use and a consistent focus on a cost-effective, resilient and secure energy supply.

As Germany's 2045 target is more ambitious than many industrialized and emerging countries, this would result in higher costs for companies. The Climate Club, which was founded in 2022 and now has 46 members, will therefore serve as an instrument for coordinating climate targets and strategies internationally and reducing carbon leakage.

If sufficient progress is not made globally, the majority of German businesses are in favor of aligning the German CO2 budget more closely with international benchmarks in order to limit competitive disadvantages, according to the text. According to the DIHK, federal states and municipalities should focus more on climate adaptation and develop innovative solutions in this area.

The DIHK study "New paths for the energy transition" is available on the Internet. The Bertelsmann study "Competitiveness and resilience despite the crisis" is available for download as a PDF.

Author: Susanne Harmsen