Germany Falling Short of 2030 Climate Targets, Experts Warn

Challenges in Transportation and Buildings

The transportation sector remains a major hurdle due to its reliance on fossil fuels and slow adoption of electric mobility. From 2035, newly sold cars in the EU must emit almost no CO2, effectively phasing out combustion engines. However, Niklas Höhne, a climate researcher at the New Climate Institute, noted that policy changes in this sector are politically difficult because they directly affect daily life. *"Im Verkehr können wir jeden Tag entscheiden, welches Verkehrsmittel wir nehmen"* ("In transportation, we decide every day which mode of transport to use"), he explained.

Similarly, the building sector faces delays in reducing emissions due to the slow rollout of energy-efficient renovations and heating systems. The German government’s Building Energy Act mandates that new heating systems must operate with at least 65% renewable energy, but Höhne pointed out that *"Neue Heizungen oder Gebäudesanierungen schlagen oft erst Jahre später wirklich auf die Emissionen durch"* ("New heating systems or building renovations often take years to impact emissions").

Progress in Other Sectors

While transportation and buildings struggle, other sectors—including energy, industry, and agriculture—are exceeding their climate targets. The energy sector, in particular, has significantly reduced emissions through the expansion of renewables and a decline in coal-fired power.

Technical solutions such as heat pumps, electric mobility, and renewable energy storage are now market-ready and increasingly cost-competitive. However, their adoption in lagging sectors remains slow.

Calls for Policy Rethink

Environmental groups are urging a shift in climate policy to accelerate emission reductions. Höhne stressed the need for clear and consistent measures: *"Es muss eine klare Linie geben"* ("There must be a clear line"). He added that while climate action must speed up, it should not overwhelm citizens, particularly in the building sector, where tenants often bear the brunt of rising energy costs.

The Expert Council’s findings highlight the urgency of addressing structural barriers in transportation and buildings to meet Germany’s long-term climate commitments.