Bavarian government coalition agreement barely includes anything new on climate

The coalition agreement of the renewed government alliance of conservative Christian Social Union (CSU) and Free Voters in southern German Bavaria presents nothing new in terms of climate or energy policy, reports Tagesspiegel Background. Renewables expansion targets outlined in the agreement, such as tripling solar power capacity by 2030, were the same that had already been laid down in the Bavarian energy plan in 2022, writes Tagesspiegel. The sections on energy, climate and mobility can be found at the bottom of the 85-page document.

The country’s biggest state has successfully maintained its leading position as solar power and bioenergy producer in the country, benefitting from a large agricultural sector and sunny weather. However, industry groups and local mayors in Bavaria have repeatedly criticised Markus Söder and Hubert Aiwanger’s coalition for a lack of ambition in the transition to renewables. For instance, they urged the government to lift restrictions on wind power construction. The new coalition now also aims to install 1,000 new wind turbines by 2030 – not a huge improvement on the 800 mentioned in last year’s plan. The new government also aims to make Bavaria the “hydrogen state number one and a hydrogen hub in Europe” and supports the construction of pipeline connections to the Mediterranean Sea and Africa to ensure sufficient imports in the future.

The parties of Germany’s federal government coalition suffered heavy losses in the state elections in economically strong Bavaria earlier this month, while populist parties including the far-right AfD celebrated significant gains. The CSU still came out as the strongest party by far and will continue its decades-long rule.