Germany to End Coal Use by 2030 - Renewable Energy Transition

Germany Accelerates Coal Phase-Out and Renewable Energy Goals

Germany intends to discontinue coal utilization by 2030, a move expedited by eight years compared to prior commitments. This adjustment forms a key component of the nation’s most recent climate undertaking.

Simultaneously, the country aims for renewable energy sources to contribute 80 percent of its total electricity production by the same year, 2030.

New Coalition Government and Leadership

Olaf Scholz, representing Germany’s Social Democratic Party, revealed this plan on Wednesday, as reported by the BBC. The announcement was made as part of an agreement establishing a governing coalition.

This coalition comprises the Greens and Free Democrats, with Scholz assuming the role of Chancellor.

The September 28th national election resulted in the Greens securing 118 seats within the Bundestag, marking their most successful electoral performance to date.

It is anticipated that Annalena Baerbock, leader of the Greens, will be appointed as the country’s foreign minister by Scholz.

Furthermore, Robert Habeck, a co-leader of the Greens, is likely to be designated as Vice-Chancellor and entrusted with overseeing Germany’s energy transition.

Emissions Reduction Targets and Compromises

Despite the accelerated coal phase-out, the coalition has not established a more ambitious emissions reduction target.

Germany still plans to reduce emissions by 65 percent from 1990 levels by the year 2030.

However, estimates from Climate Action Tracker, a nonprofit organization, suggest that a reduction of at least 70 percent in greenhouse gas emissions is necessary by the end of the decade to align with the 1.5 degrees Celsius target outlined in the Paris Agreement.

A significant concession was made by the Greens during negotiations with the Social Democratic Party.

According to Bloomberg, natural gas will be utilized as a bridging fuel during the transition from coal to renewable energy sources.

Electric Vehicle Adoption and Criticism

Critics have also voiced concerns that the coalition should have implemented more robust measures to promote the adoption of electric vehicles.

The government’s current plan aims for 15 million EVs to be operating on German roads by 2030.

“This does not look like a coalition for progress,” stated Christoph Bautz, head of Campact, to Clean Energy Wire. “The climate movement will have to keep pushing the coalition to truly make it a climate government.”

This article was originally published on Engadget.