The transport sector exceeds the climate target by three million tons of CO2. Transport Minister Wissing therefore wants to expand the charging network for electric cars and cycling. He ignores the speed limit. His measures are not well received even by the coalition partner.
In order to close a gap in climate targets, FDP Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing wants to expand the charging network for electric cars and bicycle traffic. This is based on an emergency program presented to meet climate targets in the transport sector. Wissing said in Berlin that the transport sector would be guided back on the “path to compliance with climate targets”. Wissing reports more money in the budget for the expansion of the public car and truck charging infrastructure in the coming years. It is assumed that additional budgetary funds of around eight billion euros will be required.
Wissing had to present an immediate climate protection program because the transport sector exceeded the annual CO2 emissions specified in the Climate Protection Act last year. In 2021, the transport sector’s emission targets were exceeded by around three million tonnes of CO2. With the package of measures, the difference will be completely compensated for, according to Wissing.
With a nationwide charging network for e-cars, the further ramp-up of electromobility and commercial vehicles should be promoted. An “expansion offensive” for cycling is also planned. With regard to the planned expansion of local public transport, Wissing confirmed that he first wanted to wait for the results of an evaluation of the 9-euro ticket in local and regional transport – this expires at the end of August. Wissing also referred to a federal and state working group on reforms in public transport. The minister again spoke out in favor of simpler tariff structures. Wissing again rejected a general speed limit on motorways. He had to weigh up the rapid achievement of the climate goals and the requirements and also the acceptance of the society for measures on the other hand, he said.
Regarding the fact that the federal government has not yet submitted an entire immediate climate protection program, Wissing said that there was still a need for discussion. He is convinced that progress can be made very quickly here and is ready to make compromises.
Wissing’s emergency program met with great criticism, including from the Greens as coalition partners. Wissing must present effective measures instead of getting lost in the small things, said Green energy politician Lisa Badum. “There are so many measures on the table: a reduction in climate-damaging subsidies or the reform of the company car privilege and the vehicle tax. The ministry has to get off the brakes and now push the mobility turnaround.” Greenpeace spokeswoman Marion Tiemann said: “Volker Wissing takes refuge in climate protection in nebulous funding commitments and continues to block effective steps such as a speed limit.”
Criticism also hails from the German Environmental Aid. “Honest, short-term effective measures that immediately reduce energy consumption” are needed. Among other things, the activists are demanding a speed limit on motorways, a ban on short-haul flights and the introduction of a 365-euro annual ticket for local public transport.
The building sector also failed to meet climate targets last year and emitted two million tonnes of greenhouse gases too much. Building Minister Geywitz therefore presented an immediate program developed jointly with the Ministry of Economics by Robert Habeck. Geywitz expects large CO2 savings from the conversion and optimization of heating systems. “We need to change the way we heat our homes,” said the minister. Specifically, it is planned that from 2024 no new gas heaters may be installed.
The Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND) sees the direction of the program as positive, but criticizes the schedule. “The installation stop for climate-damaging gas heaters from 2024 comes too late,” said BUND boss Olaf Bandt. Criticism also came from the economy. “The conversion of heating systems to renewable energies must go hand in hand with the energetic optimization of the building envelope,” explained Felix Pakleppa from the Central Association of the German Building Industry. “Because the energy output of purely regenerative energies is too low for uninsulated buildings.” Axel Gedaschko, President of the Association of the Housing Industry, sees “ambitious projects” by the Ministry of Construction, which, however, ignore “the current shortage of the necessary materials and specialists for renovations”. A lot also depends on sufficient financial support, which has not yet been determined.
