Today, Federal Minister of Economics and Climate Protection Robert Habeck presented the second PV-The aim is to significantly accelerate the expansion of solar energy in Germany. The goal is to significantly accelerate the expansion of solar energy in Germany. To this end, the strategy identifies measures in a total of eleven fields of action. The spectrum ranges from measures in the area of energy policy to the topics of securing skilled labour, industrial value creation in Europe and technology development. This was preceded by a first photovoltaic summit in March 2023. Since March, the PV strategy has been consulted. More than 600 comments were received.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck says: "Photovoltaics is one of the cheapest energy sources of all and is one of the most important sources of electricity generation of the future. By 2030, the share of renewable energies in gross electricity consumption is to be 80 percent. Photovoltaics, with an installed capacity of 215 gigawatts by 2030, is expected to make an important contribution here. This shows that we have a lot of work ahead of us. But we can see that the expansion is picking up. Last year it was over 7 gigawatts. The interim target for the current year is 9 gigawatts. The chances that we will reach this interim target are good: in the first quarter of 2023, just under 2.7 gigawatts were already added. GW newly installed.
With the strategy presented today, we want to significantly accelerate the expansion and remove all the brakes that have prevented a faster pace of expansion so far".
In recent months, the German government has already launched numerous measures to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies, including increasing the tendering volumes, adjusting the remuneration rates and removing regulatory hurdles. The PV-strategy now focuses on remaining barriers.
Fields of action of the photovoltaic strategy:
Ground-mounted systemsFrom 2026 onwards, we will need an addition of 11 GW
per year. For this, sufficient land must be available and planning and approval procedures must become faster. In addition, innovative concepts such as agri-PV to prevent land competition.
Roof systems: With the PV-strategy, we want to give a boost to the segment of larger building installations in the commercial sector. Also in the area of small PV-The strategy contains improvements and simplifications for the use of the plants. The target is 11 GW Additions per year from 2026.
Tenant electricity and communal building supplyToday, the roofs of apartment buildings are used far too little for PV used. To change this, we will introduce a new model for communal building supply. This will enable the on-site use of solar power for all parties in the building. In addition, we are improving the existing tenant electricity model.
Balcony-PV: We want balconyPV can be easily used by everyone. In addition, bureaucracy should be eliminated and the systems should be able to be connected quickly.
Mains connectionsWe want to significantly accelerate and simplify the grid connection of both ground-mounted and roof-mounted systems. For larger roof systems we will e.g. simplify the certification process.
AcceptanceWe want to strengthen participation. Topics are here a.o. the financial participation of municipalities and simple rules for citizen energy.
Tax lawThe removal of tax obstacles is important for the ramp-up of the PV. Whether e.g. in the case of trade tax or inheritance tax, the BMWK is committed to further improvements for the PV on.
IndustryWe want to build up industrial production capacities for the entire value chain in Germany and Europe, so that the rising demand can be largely met from our own resources.
can be covered by domestic production.
ProfessionalsWe want to increase the number of skilled workers for production,
Planning, installation and maintenance of PV-plants, a.o. through an increase in training offers and advanced training.
Technology developmentWe want to advance technology development along the entire value chain, a.o. within the framework of the upcoming 8th Energy Research Programme.
European frameworkEU processes and requirements increasingly determine the legal framework in the energy sector. We want to accelerate the PV-expansion at the European level, for example with the EU-strategy for solar energy and within the framework of the "Fit for 55" package.
The implementation of the strategy will start immediately after its publication. Some of the measures are to be implemented within the framework of the sog. "Solar Package I" to the cabinet before the summer break. Further measures, some of which require more preparatory work, are to follow in a second solar package. Even during the legislative work, the BMWK open to suggestions: the e-mail address set up for this purpose will remain pv-strategie@bmwk.bund.de also continues to be active.
In addition to the established standard for certifying the sustainability of federal buildings (BNB), the Federal Ministry of Building (BBSR) has also developed a new simplified standard for small residential buildings (BNK). As part of this standard, requirements are also defined for wood products and materials that must be met in order for them to receive full points here. Compliance with these requirements can now also be demonstrated with a WOOD FROM HERE certificate for the wood products.
Significance of the BNK for timber construction
It is the political will that new buildings in Germany should increasingly be subject to sustainability certification. So far, this has failed for the vast majority of buildings, especially smaller ones, due to the enormous costs and the considerable effort required for the corresponding certification. For this reason, the BBSR has developed a simplified standard for small residential buildings. This standard can now be used to certify single-family or multi-family houses more easily. In the meantime, various prefabricated house manufacturers offer their customers a corresponding sustainability certification.
What are the benefits for companies in the timber industry with a certificate for timber from here?
Manufacturers of timber construction products can now fulfil the requirements of the BNK for timber products used by means of a Holz von Hier certificate as an alternative to FSC or PEFC as proof of sustainable forest management. These requirements are set out in the standard's information sheet 3.3.1.
This is of course especially true for timber construction companies in case they want to offer their customers a corresponding certification according to the BNK. In addition to the suitability for the BNK standard, wood from here also offers a direct marketing advantage for timber construction companies, as regionally manufactured products are experiencing a growing trend among consumers and they can thus address a growing target group of environmentally conscious buyers.
The use of the Holz von Hier certification system is very simple for interested companies and involves little administrative, personnel and financial effort. The product- or object-related issuing of a certificate is carried out via an electronic controlling system, similar to the one used in the German biogas register in the context of carbon certificate trading. Holz von Hier thus offers companies in the timber industry additional market opportunities without complicating or restricting their operations.
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.
The "Climate Adaptation Check" is a new orientation aid for NRW municipalities. The federal state passed the first climate adaptation law in Germany in 2021. The check supports NRW municipalities in implementing the new consideration requirement.
Berlin/Cologne. The consequences of climate change have long been felt in German municipalities: more frequent heavy rainfall events, flooding, storms as well as heat waves and prolonged drought. Cities, municipalities and districts must adapt to the unavoidable consequences of climate change as quickly as possible and become more resilient. In July 2021, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia passed the first climate adaptation law in Germany. According to this law, municipalities in NRW are obliged, for example, to take the impacts of climate change into account in their planning and decisions. In order to support municipalities in the implementation, the "Kommunalberatung Klimafolgenanpassung NRW" (Municipal Advice on Climate Change Adaptation NRW), established at Difu, was commissioned by the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Environment to publish an orientation guide. The new "Climate Adaptation Check for Municipalities in NRW" supports municipalities in the implementation of the consideration requirement according to § 6 of the Climate Adaptation Act.
The guidance outlines the essential premises - responsibility, timeliness, comprehensibility - which must be adhered to, makes suggestions for the procedure and gives advice on implementation. As the core of the procedure, a climate adaptation check of draft resolutions - or ideally already for preliminary planning - is recommended, which is to be discussed and adapted locally in each case and, if necessary, combined in a suitable manner with other test procedures (such as sustainability or climate protection). The working aid is also intended to support climate resilient reconstruction in the areas damaged by the heavy rain and flood events of July 2021.
The development has been based on the experiences and assessments of municipalities in NRW and other federal states. It should and can therefore also be a helpful tool for other municipalities in Germany.
The online publication is available free of charge as a flipbook as well as an accessible version.
Background
The North Rhine-Westphalia Climate Adaptation Act (KlAnG) states in § 6 Consideration requirement:
(1) In their planning and decision-making, the public bodies shall take into account the purpose of this Act and the objectives set for its fulfilment in an interdisciplinary and integrated manner.
(2) Pursuant to section 13(3), first sentence, of the Federal Climate Protection Act of 12 December 2019 (Federal Law Gazette I p. 2513), when applying economic efficiency criteria in comparative considerations, the cost and
savings over the respective entire useful life of the investment or procurement. In accordance with sentence 2, the expected costs of the negative consequences of climate change shall also be taken into account in an appropriate manner.
Short info: German Institute of Urban Affairs
As the largest urban research institute in the German-speaking world, the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) is the research, training and information institution for cities, municipal associations and planning communities. Whether urban and regional development, municipal economy, urban planning, social issues, environment, transport, culture, law, administrative issues or municipal finance: Founded in 1973, the independent Berlin-based institute - with a further location in Cologne - deals with an extensive range of topics and, on a scientific level, deals in a practical way with all the tasks that municipalities have to deal with today and in the future. The Verein für Kommunalwissenschaften e.V. is the sole shareholder of the research institute, which is run as a non-profit limited company.
German cities consider greater cohesion in society to be necessary and want to make their contribution. The President of the German Association of Cities, Mayor Markus Lewe from Münster, said at the start of the annual general meeting of the leading municipal association in Dortmund: "Sticking together in our cities - that is reality, demand and hope at the same time. We are experiencing developments in Germany and throughout Europe that are calling into question our previous consensus on the values of a free and democratic society. In addition, some people feel left behind. We need more cohesion again. This is not an issue for cities alone, but it is a major issue for cities. Because we in local politics are the first point of contact for the people. They come to our town halls with their concerns, whether we are responsible or not. We want to strengthen the cohesion in our cities, and we are committed to a diverse and tolerant society."
The general assembly of the German Association of Cities, which takes place every two years, this time has the motto "Sticking together in our cities". Around 1300 delegates and guests are expected in Dortmund. The most prominent speakers on Wednesday are Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and NRW Minister President Armin Laschet. The German Association of Cities and Towns represents around 3,400 cities and municipalities with almost 52 million inhabitants vis-à-vis the Federal Government, the Federal Council and the European Union. It sees itself as the voice of the cities because it represents all independent cities including the city states as well as most cities belonging to a district.
In addition to cohesion, the German Association of Cities is currently particularly concerned with the topics of transport, housing, climate protection and the reform of property tax. On the occasion of their general meeting, the cities are calling on the federal and state governments to make much more progress on the transport turnaround. To this end, the German Association of Cities demands an investment offensive worth billions. It is also pushing for greater success in housing construction in growing cities so that more affordable housing is created for people with low incomes and for broad sections of the population.
Getting the transport revolution off the ground
President of the Association of Cities Markus Lewe explained: "We must not be timid and hesitant when it comes to transforming our transport systems. And we must make do rather than spill the beans. The municipal transport infrastructure is dramatically underfinanced, there is an investment backlog of over 38 billion euros. In order to reverse the trend towards sustainable mobility, the municipalities need an investment offensive from the federal and state governments that goes beyond previous programmes, with additional funds of 20 billion euros for at least ten years, i.e. 2 billion annually. Climate protection in transport has also been neglected for too long. That is why action must be taken quickly now. The transport turnaround must get going. We must help a sustainable, environmentally friendly and climate-friendly mobility for all to achieve a breakthrough. Many people want this and it will make our cities more liveable. To this end, the cities are demanding an overall concept for sustainable mobility from the federal and state governments, in which climate protection plays an important role. Above all, we need more attractive offers to switch from car to train, public transport, bicycle and footpaths". Of course, the cities are also investing in low-emission buses and trains, improving transport networks and expanding the charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Around 11 billion passengers travel on public transport in Germany every year, and the trend is rising. In reality, however, public transport has been living on its substance for years. Tunnels and tracks need to be renovated, new buses and trains need to be purchased and stops need to be rebuilt. The federal government must now quickly implement its promise in the coalition agreement to increase the federal programme for major projects in the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG) from around 330 million to 1 billion euros. For the expansion and reconstruction of roads, railways and tracks, the federal states are also required to increase the GVFG funds in line with demand, for which they will be financially responsible from 2020.
"Bicycle traffic is increasing significantly, more and more people are cycling further distances themselves, and electric scooters will soon also be using cycle paths more. That's why we also need a cycle path offensive from the federal government, the federal states and the municipalities."Lewe demanded.
It is also necessary to reallocate the limited public space in cities. On average, passenger cars transport only 1.4 people per trip, but they need the most space per passenger. Lewe made clear: "We need more areas in public space for encounters and for sustainable mobility. The face of our cities should not be a car park or a four-lane road. In consequence, this will have to mean: less space for cars, but more space for people travelling by public transport, by bike or on foot. Cities must negotiate this new balance in dialogue with their citizens. Success is measured above all by the acceptance of the population and the local businesses.
Housing is a basic need - implement housing offensive with more speed
Despite the housing offensive announced at the housing summit in autumn 2018 and some positive decisions by the federal and state governments, too few new affordable flats are being built, especially in conurbations and growing cities, emphasised the president of the Association of Cities and Towns. What is currently needed are about 400,000 new flats every year. In fact, only 290,000 were built last year. The lack of building land, high land prices and construction costs make it difficult to create affordable housing.
The cities themselves are developing building land strategies, in some cases giving away land at a reduced price and obliging larger investors to provide affordable housing on a pro-rata basis. However, the existing problems can only be overcome in a concerted effort by all parties involved, Lewe made clear: "Housing is a basic need for every human being. Creating sufficient affordable housing cannot be left to the market alone. All actors are called upon. We must build, build and build. The housing offensive must be implemented with more speed. The cities want to contribute to this. They will continue to mobilise building land and enable redensification. And they will do so in a way that builds in good quality and ensures a social mix of the population in the neighbourhoods."
Social housing construction and the availability of building land remain essential. That is why the cities are glad that the federal government will continue to share responsibility for social housing promotion and will not withdraw at the end of this year. And that is why it should be easier again for cities to actively provide building land for affordable housing. To this end, for example, the municipalities' right of first refusal should be strengthened. "What is needed are 80,000 to 120,000 new social housing units per year. Currently there are only about half as many," says Lewe.
Quelel: PM of the German Association of Cities from 4.6.2019
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