Energy efficiency businesses unsatisfied with German government – survey

A majority of companies in the energy efficiency industry are not satisfied with the work of the federal government, according to a survey conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and commissioned by the German Industry Initiative for Energy Efficiency (DENEFF). Sixty-four percent of respondents, such as manufacturers or service suppliers from the construction or heating sectors, said they are rather or very unsatisfied, and no company said it is “very satisfied.” Energy industry representatives see political framework conditions as the most important factor influencing their business, followed by the development of energy prices and technological innovation. Industry has high expectations of the planned Climate Action Law, which they see as a positive influence on business.

PwC surveyed 172 energy efficiency industry representatives from March to May 2019 for its Energy Efficiency Industry Monitor 2019. The survey is still ongoing, so the results are preliminary, says DENEFF. The final results will be published in autumn 2019. In the building sector, not enough progress has been made so far in terms of CO2 reduction, but Germany is under pressure to meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030. Emissions from buildings must be reduced by at least 66 percent compared to 1990 levels (2018: -44 percent), according to the government's Climate Action Plan 2050. Earlier this year, federal interior minister Horst Seehofer, who is also responsible for buildings, cancelled plans to set up a commission that was supposed to propose ways to cut carbon emissions in the sector. However, Seehofer proposed making the climate-friendly renovation of older buildings tax deductible in order to help bring down emissions in the sector. Seehofer is expected to present his first proposals on emissions reduction in heating during the climate cabinet meeting on 29 May.