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🇬🇷 Greece /Environment & Climate

Germany's Proposed Heating Law Sparks Climate Policy Backlash

From Kathimerini · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Germany's coalition government plans to amend a heating law requiring new systems to use at least 65% renewable energy.
  • The proposed changes would allow oil and gas heating systems with lower climate-friendly gas content in existing buildings for a longer period.
  • The move faces criticism from environmental groups and regulatory bodies, who argue it undermines climate goals and prolongs fossil fuel reliance.

Germany's coalition government is seeking to revise a contentious heating law, originally designed to mandate that new heating systems run on at least 65% renewable energy. The proposed amendment, approved by the cabinet, would permit the continued installation of oil and gas heating systems in existing buildings, provided they incorporate a significantly lower percentage of climate-friendly gases for an extended duration.

The new law has met not only with acceptance but also with strong criticism.

— KathimeriniThe Greek newspaper introduces the controversy surrounding the proposed changes to Germany's heating law.

This shift has ignited strong opposition. The National Regulatory Control Council (NKR), an independent advisory body, has labeled the bill as one of the "weakest and most impractical proposals" in recent years. Carsten Rolle of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) defends the proposal, but Julius Neu of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) declared it a "declaration of bankruptcy for climate policy," arguing it eliminates a key tool for the heating sector's energy transition and traps consumers with rising gas costs.

The bill as one of the 'weakest and most impractical proposals that have been submitted to the National Council for Regulatory Control in recent years'.

— Lutz GoebelThe head of the NKR, an independent advisory body, criticized the proposed amendment.

Manufacturers of heat pumps echo these concerns. Katja Weinhold, spokesperson for the German Heat Pump Association, stated that the government's reduction of the renewable energy share requirement from 65% to an initial 10% sends the "completely wrong message," especially given energy security concerns and climate targets. She emphasized that heat pumps offer an efficient, cost-effective, and long-term independent heating solution, urging clear consumer information and stable subsidy programs to encourage investment in future-proof heating technologies.

a declaration of bankruptcy regarding climate policy.

— Julius NeuThe German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND) representative expressed strong disapproval of the proposed law.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Kathimerini in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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