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FDP Demands Adjustment of Schleswig-Holstein's Climate Plans
๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Germany /Environment & Climate

FDP Demands Adjustment of Schleswig-Holstein's Climate Plans

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The FDP in Schleswig-Holstein calls for adjusting the state's climate goals to align with the EU's 2050 target.
  • Party leader Wolfgang Kubicki argues that overly ambitious local goals harm economic competitiveness without significantly impacting global climate.
  • Kubicki also criticized the state government's handling of the Northvolt loan, citing a violation of information duties.

The FDP party in Schleswig-Holstein is demanding an adjustment of the state's climate targets, advocating for alignment with the European Union's goal of climate neutrality by 2050. Currently, the state's black-green government aims to transform Schleswig-Holstein into a climate-neutral industrial region by 2040.

Schleswig-Holstein is the most beautiful federal state in the world, but Schleswig-Holstein is not the climatic center of the world.

โ€” Wolfgang KubickiFDP leader commenting on the state's climate ambitions.

Federal FDP leader Wolfgang Kubicki, speaking at a state party convention, argued that while Schleswig-Holstein is a beautiful state, it is not the "climatic center of the world." He asserted that overly specific and ambitious local climate goals can negatively impact economic conditions without yielding significant global climate benefits. Kubicki stressed the importance of "climate rationalism," suggesting that sacrificing prosperity for climate goals is not feasible, especially when global conflicts like the war in Ukraine release more CO2 annually than Germany's entire transportation sector.

Kubicki criticized politicians who set targets they know are practically impossible to implement, stating they lose public trust. He also pointed to the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Iran, noting the substantial CO2 emissions generated daily, which dwarf German efforts. "And therefore, we must be careful not to ruin ourselves economically because we believe we are impressing someone with high morality. On the contrary, the rest of the world laughs pityingly at us," he stated.

If politicians make decisions today in the awareness that they can practically not be implemented at all, then they do not deserve the trust of the people.

โ€” Wolfgang KubickiCriticizing unrealistic climate targets.

Furthermore, Kubicki took aim at the state government's actions, particularly regarding the loan for the now-bankrupt Swedish battery manufacturer Northvolt. He referenced rulings by the state constitutional court, which had previously declared state budgets unconstitutional and recently found that the government violated its information duties to the state parliament concerning the Northvolt loan. Kubicki urged state chairman Christopher Vogt to challenge Minister President Daniel Gรผnther, reminding him to adhere to the constitution.

Very real effects they have, however, on the economic location conditions - unfortunately rarely for the positive.

โ€” Wolfgang KubickiDiscussing the economic impact of climate policies.

The FDP is positioning itself for upcoming state elections, including in Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein, aiming to solidify its political comeback. Kubicki emphasized that each state election campaign will be treated as decisive for the party's resurgence.

And therefore, we must be careful not to ruin ourselves economically because we believe we are impressing someone with high morality. On the contrary, the rest of the world laughs pityingly at us.

โ€” Wolfgang KubickiWarning against economic self-harm due to climate policies.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.