New paper
FDP calls for fundamental reform of the heating law
The heating law was more controversial than almost any other law. Now there are increasing signs that it should be revised.
The FDP parliamentary group is calling for a fundamental reform of the controversial heating law. A position paper adopted by the parliamentary group states: “We are calling for clear relief for private builders as well as for the construction and real estate industry by reducing regulations and focusing on market-based instruments. We are focusing on the CO2 balance and CO2 certificate trading instead of on countless small-scale regulations to ensure cost-effectiveness and affordability.”
The Building Energy Act (GEG) – often referred to as the Heating Act – is a complex set of regulations. “The GEG must be included in the emissions trading system for both new buildings and existing buildings.” There was a long struggle over the new heating law. The aim is a gradual exchange towards climate-friendly heating.
Heating law should be slim, simple and fair
Daniel Föst, construction and housing policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, told the German Press Agency: “Germany’s building sector is responsible for around a third of CO2 emissions. Doing nothing is therefore no longer an option.” The heating transition must be practical, open to technology and affordable. The current heating law cannot meet these criteria. “We therefore want to fundamentally redesign and streamline the Building Energy Act, with a focus on CO2 savings. The new GEG should be slim, simple and fair.”
The paper says that there needs to be a focus on the CO2 balance. We are talking about a new and simple regulatory framework within which CO2 emissions are accounted for, below-average emissions are worthwhile and emissions that are too high would become unattractive due to a rising CO2 price. Overregulation in the building sector is leading to a dead end, says Föst. It pushes developers and owners to their financial limits – often without any measurable added value for the climate.
Construction Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) also spoke out in favor of a fundamental reform of the GEG. It needs to be made “much, much” easier. The Union wants to withdraw the traffic light heating law.
dpa
Source: Stern
