Climate crisis: Federal Environment Agency: Climate targets for 2030 can still be achieved

Germany can still achieve the climate targets by 2030. This is shown by an analysis by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the results of which were presented on Monday in Dessau-Roßlau, Anhalt. Among other things, this would require more rail transport, a reform of the vehicle tax and the restriction of fossil heating, explained the UBA. In addition, all emissions would have to be priced and charged according to who caused them. The German Climate Protection Act provides for a 65 percent reduction in climate-damaging emissions by 2030 compared to 1990.

For their analysis, the UBA examined how additional emissions can be saved in the building, mobility, energy and industry sectors. The study shows, among other things, that the specified goals in the area of ​​transport and buildings will probably be missed even with a mix of very ambitious instruments. The experts also come to the conclusion that low- and zero-carbon technologies should be promoted more.

“The model calculation clearly shows that we have a lot of catching up to do in some sectors,” said UBA President Dirk Messner. There must not only be a constructive dialogue about where emissions can be reduced, but also about how the financial burden on lower-income groups can be absorbed and distributed more fairly, he said: “At the moment, households with low incomes are often paying disproportionately asked. That understandably does not exactly increase the acceptance for more climate protection.”

A UBA report from 2021 shows that Germany will miss the climate protection goals for 2030 with the climate protection instruments currently planned. With the proposed measures, the course can be set at an early stage in order to achieve the savings required by law, it said.