Germany must push for EU CO2 price in transport and buildings – govt advisors
Clean Energy Wire
The German government should intensify its efforts for introducing a new EU carbon emissions trading system for the transport and buildings sectors, a group of climate science government advisors said. “If Germany wants to achieve its climate targets, it must ensure the expansion of the European CO2 price becomes a success. After the CO2 price for the energy sector and industry, it now urgently needs one for buildings and transport,” said Ottmar Edenhofer, co-head of the Climate Action Science Platform (“Wissenschaftsplattform Klimaschutz”) at the presentation of the platform's 2021 report. The document makes key recommendations to the current government to develop “a coherent and effective climate action architecture”. The advisors also said the government should work out a new “Climate Action Plan 2045”, as the 2016 version (Climate Action Plan 2050) needs a thorough overhaul and has to be aligned with the new and earlier target year for climate neutrality. The researchers also call on the government to ensure targeted state support for key technologies necessary for the transition to climate neutrality, such as renewables and green hydrogen. Moreover, the government should develop a negative emissions strategy and, on this basis, promote the broadest possible portfolio of CO2 removal technologies and practices, they added.
Germany introduced a national carbon price for transport and heating fuels last year and has been a key driver behind efforts to introduce a similar system at the EU level. However, plans by the European Commission are heavily disputed among members states and it is unclear whether emissions trading will be introduced for these sectors. The Climate Action Science Platform provides expertise on the implementation and further development of the German long-term climate action strategy. It consists of researchers from several leading German climate research institutions, who aim to initiate debates about further developing German and EU climate policy and provide scientific advice to the responsible ministries.
