According to the non-governmental organization Germanwatch, the first year of the German government coalition’s tenure in office has brought much-needed progress in key energy transition areas. Despite this, the government coalition still falls short of fulfilling promises made in the coalition treaty between chancellor Olaf Scholz’s Social Democrats (SPD), the Green Party, and the Free Democrats (FDP).
Christoph Bals, the head of an NGO, stated in advance of the coalition’s first anniversary on December 8 that “compared to its predecessor, the traffic light coalition accomplishes many things better in regards to renewable energy as well as national and international climate policy.” However, the traffic light coalition, which was given its name after the colors of the parties, “is a long way from delivering what is scientifically essential and has been promised in the coalition compact,” he added. According to Bals, FDP minister Volker Wissing had so far declined to provide any substantial steps that would bring the transportation industry closer to attaining its emissions reduction targets. This was especially true with regard to the transport sector.
In addition, the leader of an NGO noted that the government has not presented the legally enforceable climate action programmed for 2030 that was promised a year ago. This is mostly owing to misgivings expressed by the FDP. However, it is incumbent upon Chancellor Scholz, who ran for office on the basis of becoming a “climate chancellor,” to implement more stringent and comprehensive climate and energy efficiency measures across all industries. On the bright side, the “Easter Package” for expanding renewable power that was proposed by the coalition has enabled significant headway to be achieved in the fight against carbon emissions across the country. “This is the most ambitious legislative package for speeding the buildout of renewable power sources Germany has ever seen,” said Bals. “This is the most ambitious law package for accelerating the buildout of renewable power sources Germany has ever seen.”
At the same time, the coalition has encouraged a “fresh start” in international climate policy by intensifying cooperation with partner countries such as India, Kenya, and Indonesia. These countries could help consolidate global efforts to curb the climate crisis “in a way that probably wouldn’t have happened without the new government,” he argued. At the same time, the coalition has encouraged a “fresh start” in international climate policy by increasing cooperation with partner countries such as India, Kenya, and Indonesia. The first year of the traffic light coalition’s term in government has been overshadowed by Russia’s war on Ukraine and the energy crisis that it has caused in Germany and throughout Europe. Although the war has altered the plans of the coalition in many different areas and diverted a significant amount of political resources toward security and emergency measures, it is also seen as a potential driver for decarbonization and energy efficiency, which will make Germany’s energy system more secure and independent.