Germany unveils plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2045 — Deutsche Welle

Germany has presented a roadmap for the gradual phase-out of coal, oil and natural gas by 2045. Deutsche Welle reports. German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider announced the plan during a speech at the UN General Assembly on Wednesday.

According to Schneider, the strategy combines independence, energy affordability and climate protection. He said the 19-year timeframe for implementing the plan is achievable and that the roadmap should become an international example for other countries.

Dependence on imported fuel

According to the minister, fossil fuels accounted for 65% of Germany's energy consumption in 2024. The country imported 98% of its oil and 95% of its natural gas, spending €76 billion on this. Schneider noted that this amount has since increased significantly due to the war in Iran and its impact on global fuel supplies.

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He stressed that it is undesirable for the cost of people's daily commutes to depend on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. Germany became the third country after France and the Netherlands to present a concrete plan to phase down fossil fuel use under a commitment supported by nearly 200 countries at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai in 2023.

Reaction from environmental organizations

Environmental organizations generally welcomed Berlin's announcement, while drawing attention to contradictions with certain government decisions. Greenpeace energy expert Mira Jäger said the country is showing a “sign of life in international climate policy,” but that the government is simultaneously subsidizing the oil industry, slowing the transition of heating systems and the expansion of renewable energy.

WWF climate policy adviser Fentje Jacobsen believes that the roadmap largely repeats existing initiatives without new ambition. Energy Minister Katherina Reiche supports building new gas-fired power plants to stabilize the electricity grid. Her position on preserving the role of cars with internal combustion engines running on alternative fuels contradicts the plan, which provides for battery electric vehicles to account for 100% of new passenger car registrations by 2035.