The German government has announced that it has approved its climate protection program for 2026, which is a further step towards achieving greenhouse gas emissions neutrality by 2045.
The program, approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, will now be reviewed by the Council of Climate Experts before its implementation. The measures aim to align with legally binding climate targets and support emissions reductions by 2030 and 2040.
2.9 billion euro support for decarbonization of the industry
A key element of the program is the allocation of approximately 2.9 billion euros to the industrial sector.
The financing will be directed to the electrification of industrial processes, decarbonization of process heat and the development of solutions to save energy in a closed cycle. Electrification is expected to reduce emissions while increasing energy efficiency in the long term and reducing dependence on natural gas imports.
The government estimates that these measures could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 4.3 million tons by 2030 and reduce natural gas imports by about 2.5 billion cubic meters.
Expanding the use of renewable energy sources and "green" sales markets
The program also provides for accelerated capacity expansion in the field of renewable energy sources, in particular, the installation of an additional 12 GW of wind energy onshore. This expansion is expected to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 6.5 million tons by 2030.
In addition, for the first time, the Government presented the concept of "green" lead markets, aimed at stimulating demand for low-carbon materials such as environmentally friendly steel and cement, in particular through public procurement and the automotive sector.
The steel sector requires more active implementation
General Director of the German Steel Industry Federation (WV Stahl) Kerstin Maria Rippel stated that the program provides a comprehensive framework for achieving climate goals, but stressed that its success will depend on effective implementation. She welcomed the inclusion of leading markets for low-carbon steel, noting that stable and predictable demand is essential for expanding production. However, Rippel criticized the lack of concrete measures in the railway sector, calling it a missed opportunity given its importance for decarbonizing the industry.
She also stressed that the structure of the leading markets will be crucial, especially in future legislative developments.
