CO₂ savings 2022 too low: Habeck sees traffic as the biggest climate problem

The increased use of coal-fired power plants as a gas substitute and the transport sector will give Germany a poor CO₂ balance in 2022.

CO₂ savings 2022 too low: Habeck sees traffic as the biggest climate problem

The increased use of coal-fired power plants as a gas substitute and the transport sector will give Germany a poor CO₂ balance in 2022. While Economics Minister Habeck is taking on the traffic, the FDP feels confirmed in their position on nuclear power.

After the first calculations on German greenhouse gas emissions last year, Climate Minister Robert Habeck described the transport sector as the biggest problem. "All the measures planned so far are not enough to close the large CO₂ gap here," explained the Green politician. In contrast to the building sector, for example, it has not yet been possible to develop a perspective that would change that. "There is an urgent need for action here."

The think tank Agora Energiewende had previously published a study according to which the emission of greenhouse gases did not fall again in 2022 and the government targets were missed. In addition to the transport sector, Agora referred to the coal-fired power plants, which were increasingly restarted during the energy crisis.

In view of the study, the FDP sees itself strengthened in its position on nuclear power. "There are many arguments in favor of extending the life of nuclear power plants, such as security of supply, affordability and the cleanliness of the electricity generated," said FDP Secretary General Bijan Djir-Sarai.

According to the published evaluation, the use of coal and oil nullified the greenhouse gas savings, although overall energy consumption fell by almost five percent, mainly because of the high prices. "On the one hand, the study shows that renewable energies generated more electricity last year than ever before - this is a very good development that we absolutely have to build on," said Djir-Sarai. "In addition, it is also important to consider the option of extending the service life of nuclear power plants beyond April 2023, because coal-fired power alone cannot be an alternative in the long term."

Chancellor Olaf Scholz had decided in October, using his directive authority, that the three nuclear power plants still on the grid in Germany were to be taken off the grid in April, thereby initially settling a dispute within the coalition between the Greens and the FDP. At the beginning of the week, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing from the FDP suggested that an independent commission of experts should decide on a further extension of the lifespan of the three nuclear power plants. Djir-Sarai called the proposal "very good". In this way, "fact-based and scientifically justified decision-making" can be achieved.