Key facts
- Germany has committed to phasing out fossil fuels by 2045.
- Renewable energy is targeted to reach 80% of electricity generation by 2030.
- The country aims to add 12GW of onshore wind and reach 215GW of solar energy by 2030.
- Coal use is to be phased down by 2038, with a potential earlier exit in 2035.
- Methane emissions will be cut by 30% by 2030.
- Germany is the third major developed economy to publish such a roadmap.
Germany has officially committed to phasing out fossil fuels by 2045, establishing an explicit policy goal for the transition away from carbon-based energy sources. The roadmap, published on Wednesday, aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the country's electricity generation from 55% to 80% by 2030.
Key targets include the addition of 12 gigawatts (GW) of onshore wind power and a total of 215GW of solar energy capacity by 2030. The existing plan to wind down coal use by 2038 was reaffirmed, with the possibility of an earlier exit by 2035. Additionally, the country will aim to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, in line with a global pledge signed in 2021.
Environmental groups acknowledged the shift towards an explicit fossil fuel phase-out goal. However, concerns were raised that the German ministry for economic affairs and energy is also advocating for increased gas usage, which some view as undermining the transition. Calls were also made for greater emphasis on electrifying transport and heating systems to bolster energy independence and insulate consumers from price volatility.
The push for heat pumps to replace gas boilers faced opposition from right-wing political factions, leading to a watering down of earlier regulations. Germany is the third major developed economy, after France and the Netherlands, to release such a roadmap, following international commitments made in April.
The publication of Germany's plan coincides with ongoing climate discussions at the UN General Assembly. The UK has yet to release its own roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels and is set to assume the G20 presidency in December, where climate issues are expected to be prominent.