Transformation fund for a solidary and ecological restart of the economy
Published
While the emergency aid for companies is getting underway, the debate about possible post-crisis economic stimulus packages is also gaining momentum. The German Green Business Association is proposing a transformation fund to combine a new start for the economy with social aspects and environmental and climate protection.
"We must also place the new start of the economy under the sign of a solidary and ecological transformation" demands UnternehmensGrün managing director Dr. Katharina Reuter. Of course, hedging risks in the economy is the order of the day, so that Germany does not see an all too violent wave of bankruptcies. "Just because some companies are not yet green enough, we cannot put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk here," Reuter said. And further: "However, a holistic response to the Corona crisis also includes thinking further about economic policy - and here we are clearly calling for a transformation fund, an innovation and investment initiative for the social and ecological restructuring of the economy."
For the Corona crisis also shows the imbalances that have resulted from today's economic system: Austerity measures and privatisation in the health system, too few and too poorly paid skilled workers there, dependence on global supply relationships even for system-relevant products (e.g. protective clothing), environmental pollution and climate crisis with the associated risks for people, transfer of jobs to low-wage countries or the death of local traders. This is where the failures of government policy in recent years come to the fore in the most blatant form. "It annoys us to no end when Federal Minister of Economics Altmaier now suddenly pushes for local production - why didn't he use his time in office for appropriate policy instruments?", said Reuter.
"We need a rethink," Mathias Kollmann, UnternehmensGrün board member and managing director of Bohlsener Mühle, is also convinced. "We as Bohlsener Mühle will get more involved in the regional development of agriculture and supply chains after the Corona crisis. Humanity must emerge stronger from such crises and that also means learning lessons - also for our economic system!"
Carola von Peinen, UnternehmensGrün board member and founder of Talents4Good: "We need to use the shutdown to redefine our guiding principles and values as a society and challenge the maxim of economic growth at all costs."
The central question for post-crisis stimulus packages must be: How do we channel money into sustainable investment? To this end, UnternehmensGrün demands:
Establishment of a transformation fund that enables investments in climate protection and solidarity-based economic aspects. For example, impulses for energy-efficient building refurbishment in residential and commercial construction bring very timely employment in the trades and positive climate effects.
Public investment in rail and network infrastructure. Public investment attracts private investment.
Special depreciation options for climate protection, energy efficiency and digitisation measures.
Full speed ahead for the energy turnaround! Do away with the solar cap and expand onshore wind power, which will create orders for trade and industry and secure jobs.
In order for investments in climate protection to pay off in post-Corona times, CO2 pricing must not be called into question. To improve the revenue situation, UnternehmensGrün proposes:
introduction of a kerosene tax
Abolition of the diesel privilege
"Climate protection and Corona cannot be set off against each other - climate protection also makes economic sense," clarifies UnternehmensGrün board member Jan-Karsten Meier. If, for example, the fossil automotive industry now smells morning air and wants to play off Corona against climate protection (demand for relaxation of CO2 targets for cars), it not only devalues its own investments in fuel-saving drives, electric mobility and fuel cells, but also reveals an incredible degree of anti-solidarity with the younger generation, which is dependent on climate protection measures.
Many detached houses, apartment blocks and commercial buildings are suitable for the installation of a fuel cell heating system. It generates electricity and heat at the same time.
The installation of such micro-CHP systems is also subsidised by the federal government. Dr Karsten McGovern, Head of the State Energy Agency (LEA), says: "Hesse has been supporting fuel cell heating as a building block for the heating transition in the boiler room for many years. Building on the positive long-term experience of the Hessian funding programme from 2014/15, we would like to motivate even more Hessian consumers to opt for this innovative heating technology." To this end, the LEA has launched an information and advice campaign on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Economics.
In a fuel cell heating system, natural gas is converted into electricity and heat according to the principle of cold combustion. Their use is not only favoured by their efficiency - they have the highest energy efficiency compared to other heating systems on the market - but also by the massive reduction in emissions. For example, the CO2 footprint of a household can be reduced by more than a tonne (for comparison: the average CO2 emissions per capita in Germany in 2018 were just under 12 tonnes). In addition, other harmful emissions such as nitrogen oxides or particulate matter are almost completely eliminated. The electricity generated as a "by-product" can also be utilised and makes a significant contribution to reducing a household's energy costs. Surplus electricity can also be fed into the public grid and is remunerated.
KfW promotes the installation of fuel cell heating systems for private consumers as well as for commercial users and local authorities on behalf of the federal government with the programme 433 "Energy-efficient construction and renovation - fuel cell grant". The subsidy amounts to between 7,050 and 28,200 euros, depending on the electrical output. The subsidy is made up of a fixed basic amount and a performance-related component per 100 watts or part thereof.
"By the beginning of 2019, more than 5,000 fuel cell heating systems had been funded across Germany via the KfW 433 programme. We want to support this positive development in Hesse in order to firmly establish the fuel cell on the market for heating systems," continued Dr McGovern. With the campaign, the LEA is informing consumers and potential commercial users about the technology and the current range of subsidies on offer, as well as the practical implementation and operation of the system. A key component of this is also the offer of free orientation advice: interested parties can complete a checklist and send it to the LEA; they will then receive a qualified initial assessment of whether the property in question is also suitable for fuel cell heating and what the next steps towards realisation are. The advisory programme will be advertised throughout Hesse over the next few weeks, including on the radio.
HA Hessen Agentur GmbH is the state's service company. It implements projects, campaigns and promotional activities and also acts as a consultant and "think tank". Its core objective is to provide the best possible support to the state of Hesse and other public institutions in achieving their goals within the framework of Hessian economic development. Further information can be found at www.hessen-agentur.de
On behalf of the Hessian state government, the State Energy Agency (LandesEnergieAgentur - LEA) takes on central tasks in the implementation of the energy transition and climate protection. One focus of its activities is aimed at Hessian municipalities, which can receive support with strategies and measures for climate protection and the expansion of renewable energies. LEA also sees itself as an information platform and provides information for citizens, companies and organisations in Hesse. www.landesenergieagentur-hessen.de
5:18 min, First broadcast: 11/19/2020, Available until 11/20/2021.
Wir im Saarland - The Magazine ∙ SR Television
"A quarter of a century ago, Bernd Janes looked for like-minded comrades-in-arms and founded an ecologically oriented housing estate on the outskirts of Kohlhof. At first, the new neighbors were eyed critically by the surrounding community. No wonder, because the houses were built in wood, four families shared one house and the gardens were not separated from each other by fences, but merged seamlessly into each other."
Federal Ministry for Climate Protection announces comprehensive emergency programme
Introduction
After a significant decline in the previous year, greenhouse gas emissions in Germany are on the rise again. Thus, around 762 million tonnes of greenhouse gases were released in 2021 - a good 33 million tonnes or 4.5 percent more than in 2020. Overall, emissions in Germany have thus fallen by 38.7 percent since 1990. The increase in the last year is particularly noticeable in the energy sector: This shows an increase of 27 million tonnes CO2-equivalents, as increased demand for electricity, lower electricity generation from renewable energies and the higher gas price led to increased use of coal for electricity generation. Electricity generation from renewables fell by seven per cent, mainly due to poor wind conditions. In the transport and building sectors, emissions were above the annual ceilings set by the Federal Climate Protection Act. This is shown by the latest calculations of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), which are based on the specifications of the Federal Climate Protection Act and the EU-Renewable Energy Directive (RED) were presented today.
Climate State Secretary Patrick GraichenThe increase in greenhouse gas emissions has unfortunately become apparent. The Federal Government will now quickly counteract this with an immediate climate protection programme. The key is a much faster pace in the expansion of renewable energies. We must manage to install three times as much capacity as before in order to increase the share of renewables in electricity generation to 80% by 2030. There must be no more of the kind of stalemate we have seen in recent years. The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has also made it dramatically clear to us how closely security and energy supply are linked. We can no longer afford to ignore this. That is why we must now quickly remove every stumbling block on the path to more wind and solar power. The faster shift away from fossil energies must encompass all sectors - from industrial production and buildings to mobility and agriculture. It is crucial to maintain the social balance in the process."
UBA-President Dirk Messner: "Almost half of the 2020 reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has already been lost. Our figures clearly show that the federal government's targets must be addressed as quickly as possible. We need to build more solar and wind power plants quickly. We must convert our buildings to heat pumps and stop installing oil and gas heating systems as soon as possible. We can also achieve a lot with our houses by saving energy, especially by making them more energy-efficient. This will also help to reduce our energy dependence on Russia. Each and every one of us can do something here that also helps the climate: heat a little less, leave the car parked more often or, if it is necessary, drive more slowly."
Current emission data in detail
Since 1990, emissions in Germany have fallen by 38.7 percent. The target for 2030 is a reduction of 65 percent. In 2021, there were increases in emissions compared to the previous year in almost all sectors. The available data show that since 2010, the energy transition in particular has contributed to the reduction of emissions. All other significant sectors have more or less stagnated since 2010.
In the sector Energy industry are with around 27 m. tonnes - this corresponds to 12.4 per cent more than in 2020. With around 247 tonnes, the m. Tons CO2-equivalents, however, emissions were still a good 11 m. There is no annual emission quantity for 2021 in the Federal Climate Protection Act for the energy sector. Emissions from hard coal and lignite-fired power generation increased particularly significantly due to the increased use of coal. The use of lower-emission natural gas, on the other hand, decreased in the second half of the year due to the significant increase in gas prices. The main reason for the increased use of fossil energy sources for electricity generation is the 17.5 TWh Significantly reduced electricity generation from renewable energies, in particular the lower wind power generation, and a 13.5 TWh increased gross electricity consumption.
At Traffic in 2021, around 148 m. Tons CO2-equivalents are emitted. This means that greenhouse gas emissions from this sector are both 1.2 per cent above the 2020 value and around 3 m. tonnes above the annual emission quantity of 145 tonnes permitted in the Federal Climate Protection Act for 2021. m. Tons CO2-equivalents. One reason for this is road freight traffic, which has risen again on the motorways to a level slightly above that of 2019. The CAR-In contrast, the level of traffic is still lower than before the Corona pandemic (2019), which is reflected in fuel sales figures and data from counting stations on motorways and trunk roads.
In the sector Industry emissions rose by a good 9 % compared to the previous year. m. Tons CO2-equivalents increased (plus 5.5 per cent). With around 181 m. Tons CO2-equivalents, they were almost at the 2019 level again, but just below the annual emission quantity of 182 m. Tons CO2- equivalents. Catching-up economic effects in the wake of the Corona crisis and increased use of fossil fuels play an important role here. The most significant percentage increase was in the steel industry, where crude steel production rose by around 12 percent. In the manufacturing industry (energy-related share), emissions increased by around seven m. Tons CO2-equivalents respectively 6.4 per cent.
At Buildings In 2021, there was an emission reduction of just under 4 m. Tons CO2-equivalents (minus 3.3 per cent) to around 115 m. Tons CO2-equivalents. Despite this reduction in emissions, the building sector, as in the previous year, exceeds the permitted annual emission quantity according to the Federal Climate Protection Act, which is 113 m. Tons CO2-equivalents. The reduction in emissions is mainly due to a special effect of significantly reduced heating oil purchases. Heating oil stocks were already increased extensively in 2019 and 2020 due to the favourable prices and in anticipation of the Fuel Emissions Trading Act. Natural gas consumption, on the other hand, increased due to the weather.
In the sector Agriculture Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by a good 1.2 m. Tons CO2-equivalents (minus 2.0 per cent) to 61 m. Tons CO2-equivalents. The sector thus remains significantly below the annual emission level of 68 m. Tons CO2-equivalents. The decline in animal numbers continues. Cattle numbers fell by 2.3 percent, pig numbers by 9.2 percent. As a result, there was less manure, which is why the emissions associated with fertilisation also fell (-4.0 percent compared to 2020). However, the significant undercutting of the set annual emission quantity is mainly due to methodological improvements in the calculation of emissions.
The emissions of the Waste sector fell by around 4.3 per cent compared to the previous year to a good eight per cent. m. Tons CO2-equivalents. This means that the waste sector once again remains below the annual emission level of nine m. Tons CO2-equivalents. The trend is essentially determined by the decreasing emissions from landfilling as a result of the ban on landfilling organic waste.
Further procedure under the Federal Climate Protection Act
The emission data for the year 2021 will now be reviewed by the Expert Council on Climate Issues, as provided for in the law. The expert council submits an assessment of the data within one month. After that, according to the law, the respective responsible ministries have three months to submit an emergency programme containing proposals for measures to bring the building sector and transport sector onto the intended target path in the coming years. However, the federal government is already working on an emergency climate protection programme that is intended to meet these requirements as far as possible.
Dirk Messner: "In order to achieve the German government's goals by 2030, six percent of emissions must now be reduced per year. Since 2010, the average has not even been two percent. To achieve this, Germany now needs a joint energy effort. Together, we must put all our energy into making ourselves independent of Russian energy and protecting our climate.
Current data on renewable energies
As early as 2020, the project, which was launched as part of the EU-Renewable Energies Directive (Renewable Energy DirectiveRED), Germany's binding target of 18 percent of gross final energy consumption was exceeded with 19.3 %. In 2021, the gross final energy consumption from renewable energies in the electricity, heating and transport sectors rose according to the calculation specifications of the RED further slightly to 483 Billion kWh an. This corresponded to a share of 19.7 per cent of total gross final energy consumption.
The main reason was that more renewable energies were used for heating and cooling due to the cold winter. For this reason - and because heating oil sales, which are decisive for the calculation of the share, also declined due to high inventories and rising oil prices - the share of renewable heat increased significantly from 15.3 to 16.5 percent in 2021. The heating and cooling sector accounts for more than half of Germany's total gross final energy consumption.
Electricity generation from renewable energies declined by seven percent in 2021 due to a comparatively poor wind year. At the same time, the expansion of onshore wind energy plants stagnated in recent years. The renewable share of gross electricity consumption fell accordingly from 45.2 percent in 2020 to 41.1 percent. Electricity consumption represents about a quarter of Germany's total gross final energy consumption. For the European monitoring according to RED the real decline in renewable electricity generation is, however, mitigated by a normalisation rule for compensating for weather effects over several years.
In the transport sector, the share of renewable energies in total final energy consumption fell from 7.6 percent in the previous year to 6.8 percent in 2021. This decline can be explained by special carry-over arrangements from earlier years under the greenhouse gas reduction quota and a higher crediting of upstream emission reductions. Transport is responsible for a good quarter of total energy consumption.
These and many other up-to-date and quality-assured data have been published in the background paper "Renewable Energies in Germany - Data on Development in 2021" by the Working Group on Renewable Energies Statistics (AGEE-Stat), which appeared today. The first available data on the use of renewable energies in the electricity, heat and transport sectors are supplemented by calculations on the associated avoided emissions and economic effects.
Further information: The accuracy of the data
The present emission data for the year 2021 represent the best possible calculation at present. They are associated with corresponding uncertainties, in particular due to the limited statistical calculation basis available at this time. The calculations are derived from a system of model calculations and trend updates of the detailed inventories of greenhouse gas emissions for 2020 published in January 2022.
The complete, official and detailed inventory data on greenhouse gas emissions in Germany for the year 2021 is published by the UBA in January 2023 with the transmission to the European Commission.
With the targets for the Climate Action Plan 2050, the German government is pursuing ambitious plans. For the building sector, this means that a virtually climate-neutral building stock is to be achieved by 2050. The Federal Building Ministry has launched pilot projects, such as Efficiency Houses Plus in existing buildings, which are investigating ways to achieve this goal in a practical manner. By 2030, the political framework conditions should be designed in such a way that the requirements for a virtually climate-neutral building stock are already in place. The energy standard for the construction of new residential and non-residential buildings must be further developed by 2030. Likewise, from 2030, the energy-efficient refurbishment of buildings must largely fulfil the requirement of a virtually climate-neutral building stock.
To ensure that the necessary energy-efficient refurbishment and new construction measures are sustainable, the focus must be on holistic planning approaches that combine forward-looking architectural design and utilisation quality with energy-efficient measures. Special care must be taken with energy refurbishment measures to protect our building fabric that is worth preserving, including those that are not subject to protection under monument protection legislation. The diversity of façades must be protected.
For all buildings, whether new or old, the following applies: The compatibility with the building culture must be examined on a case-by-case basis, and various ecological, economic, technical and design solutions must be sought. Standardisation, shapelessness and arbitrariness should be avoided. They lead to a loss of identity-forming building culture.
Objectives: Extract from the fields of action
The Climate Action Plan is based on the guiding principle of achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by the middle of the century. For the year 2030, it reaffirms the overall target of a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 55 per cent compared to 1990, while at the same time breaking this overall target down into individual sectors for the first time. The plan thus provides clear guidance for all sectors.
Of central importance is the reorganisation of the Energy industry. Important steps have already been taken in this sector with the energy transition. Renewable electricity will also enable other sectors - such as transport - to move away from climate-damaging fossil fuels. Renewable energies will be further expanded and coal-fired power generation will be reduced accordingly. A new "Growth, Structural Change and Regional Development" commission is to develop a mix of instruments. This is intended to help the regions and sectors that are particularly affected by the structural change associated with the energy transition.
At Buildings there is a "roadmap for a virtually climate-neutral building stock". Buildings are particularly durable, which is why the course for 2050 must be set early on. The reduction should be 66-67 per cent by 2030. This will be achieved through ambitious new building standards, long-term refurbishment strategies and the gradual phasing out of fossil-fuelled heating systems.
The Transport sector will contribute 40 to 42 per cent to the 2030 climate target. A series of climate protection concepts will identify measures to achieve this, such as a climate protection concept for road transport. Alternative drive systems, local public transport, rail transport and cycling and walking will play an important role, as will a digitalisation strategy.
In the area of Industry the reduction should be 49 to 51 per cent. The German government will launch a research, development and market launch programme to reduce previously unavoidable industrial process emissions.
For land use and Forestrywhich are not included in the assessment of target fulfilment, the focus is on maintaining and improving the sink capacity of the forest. In addition, sustainable forest management and the associated use of wood, the preservation of permanent grassland, the protection of peat soils and the climate potential of natural forest development.
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