Germany's 'super minister' announces climate and energy opening balance

Robert Habeck, Germany’s new minister for economic affairs and climate protection, will present an “opening balance” at the beginning of the year detailing the state of the country’s energy transition and climate protection measures. Speaking to Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung, the Green Party co-leader said the country was behind where it should be, particularly in view of the necessary expansion of renewable energy sources as well as the nation’s power grid. “We have to change that very quickly, but first we have to honestly say where we stand and what that means,” Habeck told the newspaper.

As Germany's first climate "super minister", Habeck – who also serves as Germany’s vice chancellor – is leading efforts to accelerate the country’s transformation and bring its ambitious climate targets within reach. Commenting on Angela Merkel’s previous coalition government between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD), Habeck said “mistakes were made,” but added that he would refrain from "washing dirty linen" in retrospect. “The whole matter is really complex: The face of the country will change, the job market will change, social questions will arise," Habeck said.

The SPD, Greens and business-friendly Free Democratic Party (FDP) have laid out ambitious plans in their coalition agreement to strengthen climate protection efforts. Among its goals is increasing the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption to 80 percent by 2030, well above the previous government’s goal of 65 percent, and almost double the 2021 share of just above 40 percent. The country is also aiming to reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 50 percent within a decade and achieve climate neutrality by 2045.