Germany has announced a plan to phase out coal, oil, and gas by 2045, reaffirming its climate strategy focused on electrification. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider presented the roadmap at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, stating that the plan "combines independence, affordability, and climate protection." Germany is the third country to provide a solid plan for the phaseout, following France and the Netherlands, as nearly 200 countries committed to this goal at the 2023 COP28 climate conference in Dubai.
Schneider linked the decision to the Iran war and its impact on global fuel supplies, emphasizing the urgency of climate protection. "It is not just extreme weather events around the world that demonstrate how urgently we need to do more to protect the climate," he said. He expressed confidence that the 19-year deadline was feasible, stating, "Our roadmap is intended to set an international example. I am sure that many other countries will follow."
Fossil fuels accounted for 65% of Germany's energy consumption in 2024, with 98% of its oil and 95% of its natural gas imported at a cost of €76 billion ($86.5 billion). This figure has increased due to the Iran war. Several environmental organizations welcomed the plan, though some noted contradictions with recent government decisions. Greenpeace energy expert Mira Jäger remarked that while the announcement signals a commitment to climate policy, the federal government is also subsidizing the oil industry and slowing down the expansion of renewables.
Fentje Jacobsen, a climate policy advisor at the World Wide Fund for Nature, criticized the roadmap for lacking new ideas or ambitions. Meanwhile, Energy Minister Katherina Reiche of the conservative Christian Democrats has advocated for new gas-fired power plants to stabilize the electricity grid, which contradicts the phaseout plan that aims for battery-electric cars to account for 100% of new passenger car registrations by 2035. The car industry is a significant part of Germany's economy, and its recent struggles have impacted the broader economy.