Climate action law draft would enable “reliable climate policy” for first time - commentary

The environment ministry’s climate action law draft shows how words on climate protection can become deeds, writes Michael Bauchmüller in a commentary in the Süddeutsche Zeitung. “After years of governments giving out one ambitious target after another, the draft spells out the internal mechanics of climate protection for the first time: This is how it’s done,” writes Bauchmüller. He argues the draft’s fixed paths for climate action are key, because “distant and non-binding targets are always a temptation to do nothing […] reviewing progress year after year means readjustments become possible, it means a reliable climate policy.” Bauchmüller predicts a fight over the law given “immense resistance” from Conservatives. “But every opponent will have to show how it could work otherwise. Devil may care is no option.”

Germany's environment ministry calls for a tightening of the country's 2050 climate targets in a draft of the highly anticipated Climate Action Law, seen by Clean Energy Wire. The draft also translates sector targets into annual emissions budgets, and says the corresponding ministries are responsible for making sure they are reached.