Germany Framework Law

Laws and Policies

CCLW

CCLW national policies

Federal Climate Change Act (2019 version)

Federal Climate Protection Act (2021 Amendment)

Information on the 2021 Amendment to the Climate Change Act

Federal Climate Change Act

Federal Climate Change Act (2021 Amendment)

Federal Climate Protection Act

Federal Climate Protection Act (2021 version) - English translation

Amended

Law passed

The purpose of this law is to ensure that national climate protection targets are met and European targets are met. It is also intended to support Germany's commitment at the UN climate summit in New York on September 23, 2019 to pursue greenhouse gas neutrality as a long-term goal by 2050. It was adopted after the federal Government submitted its climate program to 2030.The law notably introduces a national carbon tax, set at 25 euros per tonne of CO2 from 2021. On June 24th, 2021, the Bundestag passed an amendment to set the carbon neutrality goal to 2045, instead of 2050. On 26 April 2024, the Bundestag passed another amendment to the Act, which came into effect through the Act of 15 July 2024 (Federal Law Gazette 2024, no. 235).&nbsp;

Federal Climate Protection Act (KSG)

2022 Immediate Climate Action Programme

Approved

With the 2022 Immediate Climate Action Programme, the German Cabinet approved additional 8 billion euros which will be used for specific measures to achieve the more ambitious climate targets of the amended <a href="https://climate-laws.org/document/federal-climate-protection-act-and-to-change-further-regulations-bundesklimaschutzgesetz-or-ksg_c1c2?l=germany&c=Legislation&q=ksg" target="_blank">Federal Climate Protection Act</a> (2021).
 
The Programme sets out measures for the industry, energy, buildings, transport, agriculture and LULUCF sector.
It also outlines cross-cutting measures which concern a climate-neutral federal administration, carbon pricing, reform of climate finance instruments throughout the entire energy system, review of climate policy funding practices, the circular economy, reduction of tax benefits, and strengthening climate protection within municipalities.

Information on the Action Programme on Climate Protection 2020

Action Programme on Climate Protection 2020

2022 programme released

<ul>
<li>Published by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, and adopted by cabinet, the Action Programme on Climate Protection 2020 contains measures to be implemented by 2020 in order to reach Germany's goal of cutting GHGs by at least 40% compared with 1990 levels. It comprises nine main components:National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NAPE)</li>
<li>Strategy on climate-friendly building and housing</li>
<li>Measures in the transport sector</li>
<li>Reduction in non-energy related emissions in:</li>
<ul>
<li>Industry, commerce/trade/services and waste management</li>
<li>Agriculture</li>
</ul>
<li>Emissions trading reform</li>
<li>Further measures, especially in the electricity sector</li>
</ul>
&nbsp; The action programme will lead to a reduction of 62m-78m tonnes CO2 equivalent in 2020 compared with the current projection for 2020. In addition to this a further 3m-4m tonnes can be saved through soft, cross-sectoral measures, which means that the programme can bring about a total reduction of 82m tonnes.

2020 Immediate Climate Action Programme

Immediate program for compliance with climate targets in the transport sector: evaluation of measures

Immediate program for compliance with climate targets in the transport sector

This programme aims to make up for the difference between targets previously set and the actual emissions in the sector, in order to meet overall climate targets. Around 148 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents were emitted in the transport sector in 2021. Greenhouse gas emissions were around 3 million tonnes above the annual emissions of 145 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents permitted for 2021 under the Climate Protection Act. The programme is promoting electromobility in the area of ​​cars and commercial vehicles. It is also promoting the expansion of the cycling infrastructure and of local public transport. It focuses on the following: As an emergency program for the transport sector due to exceeding the permissible annual emissions for 2021 on the basis of § 8 paragraph 1 KSG, the BMDV is presenting the following measures: • Development and expansion of the refueling and charging infrastructure for cars and commercial vehicles: implementation of the measures to be decided with the master plan charging infrastructure II and implementation of the two-phase strategy for the area of ​​commercial vehicles, which was formulated in the overall concept for climate-friendly commercial vehicles of the BMDV. • Expansion of funding for efficient truck trailers: In order to improve energy efficiency in road freight transport, funding for efficiency measures and innovations will be increased significantly. For this purpose, the funding program "Fleet Renewal Program for Heavy Commercial Vehicles" is to be designed as a component funding in the future, on the basis of which the purchase of additional CO2-reducing equipment for new trailers and semi-trailers is to be subsidised. • Cycling infrastructure expansion initiative – active mobility: Strengthening of programs to promote cycling infrastructure, including the necessary communication and accompanying measures, as well as pedestrian traffic (additional requirement of around EUR 250 million by 2030) and other measures. • Expansion and quality offensive in local public transport: The federal government is currently supporting local public transport with financial means within the framework of the Municipal Transport Financing Act (GVFG), via the Regionalization Act and from other funding programs. In addition, further measures are to be agreed with the federal states with the aim of organizational improvements and simplification of the use of public transport. • Expansion of digital forms of work: The digitization push triggered by the corona pandemic (working from home instead of in the office) is to be strengthened by measures such as the legal basis for mobile working and the gigabit strategy of the federal government. • Adaptation of national GHG reduction quota: increase of the existing GHG reduction quota to +1.0% in 2030 to strengthen the fulfillment options, e.g. via electricity-based fuels or advanced biofuels. In order to increase the incentives to use paraffinic fuels (such as renewable electricity-based diesel fuels or hydrogenated vegetable oils obtained from sustainable raw materials) as pure fuels, DIN EN 15940 is also to be included in the 10th BImSchV.

Immediate programme for compliance with climate targets in the buildings sector

This programme aims to make up for the difference between targets previously set and the actual emissions in the buildings sector, to meet overall climate targets. Around 115 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents were emitted in the buildings sector in 2021. Greenhouse gas emissions were around 2 million tonnes above the annual emissions of 113 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents permitted for 2021 under the <a href="https://climate-laws.org/document/federal-climate-protection-act-and-to-change-further-regulations-bundesklimaschutzgesetz-or-ksg_c1c2?l=germany&q=federal+climate+protection+act&c=Legislation" target="_blank">Federal Climate Protection Act (KSG)</a>.
 
The programme seeks to strengthen regulatory requirements, diversify and increase existing subsidy programmes and intensify qualification measures as well as serial renovation procedures. As an emergency programme for the buildings sector due to exceeding the permissible annual emissions for 2021 pursuant to § 8 paragraph 1 of the KSG, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action and the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Construction are presenting the following measures:
 
<ul>
<li>Amendment of the <a href="https://climate-laws.org/document/buildings-energy-act-geg_ec47?l=germany&c=Legislation&q=building+energy+act" target="_blank">Buildings Energy Act (GEG)</a>;</li>
<li>Federal funding for efficient buildings (BEG);</li>
<li>Federal promotion of serial refurbishment;</li>
<li>Federal funding for efficient heat networks (BEW);</li>
<li>Law for municipal heat planning;</li>
<li>Development program and qualification offensive for heat pumps;</li>
<li>Optimisation of existing heating systems;</li>
<li>Public buildings initiative;</li>
<li>Refurbishment of municipal facilities in the areas of sports, youth, and culture; and</li>
<li>Funding program for innovation in the buildings sector.</li>
</ul>

Adaptation Fund Projects (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Project information is sourced from Adaptation Fund. Please check terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.

Adaptation Fund Projects

Climate Investment Funds Projects (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Project information is sourced from the Climate Investment Funds. Please check terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.

Climate Investment Funds Projects

Green Climate Fund Projects (Multilateral Climate Funds)

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Green Climate Fund Projects

Global Environment Facility Projects (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Project information is sourced from Global Environment Facility. Please check terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.

Global Environment Facility Projects

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UNFCCC Submissions

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UNCCD Submissions

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UNCBD Submissions

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Adaptation Fund Guidance (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Project information is sourced from the Adaptation Fund. Please check terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.

Adaptation Fund Guidance

Climate Investment Funds Guidance (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Climate Investment Funds Guidance

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Corporate Disclosures

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Global Environment Facility Guidance (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Project information is sourced from the Global Environment Facility. Please check terms of use for citation and licensing of third party data.

Global Environment Facility Guidance

Green Climate Fund Guidance (Multilateral Climate Funds)

Green Climate Fund Guidance

Any compulsory, unrequited payment to the government levied on corporations or individuals. This can be for environmental reasons, such as introducing a Carbon tax to set a price that emitters must pay for the greenhouse gases they emit.

A subsidy is a direct or indirect payment to individuals or businesses, typically provided as a government cash payment or a specific tax reduction.

Tradable permits are market-based tools that grant permission for specific activities, frequently used to regulate emissions. These permits can be issued within a trading system to manage environmental impacts.

A tax advantage is an economic benefit applied to certain accounts or investments that are, by law, tax-reduced, tax-deferred, or tax-free. This can apply to investments in areas such as green energy projects or the agricultural sector, where tax advantages can help manage financial risks.

Compulsory, required payments to the government that are levied more-or-less in proportion to the services provided. Fees and charges range from entrance fees to national parks, charges on land-based sewage discharge.

Codes and standards are regulatory instruments that specify minimum standards to protect health and safety. This ranges from performance standards, which prescribe outcomes while allowing flexibility to achieve compliance, to the more prescriptive approach of technology-specific standards.

A commitment to balance GHG emissions with removal by a certain point in time, effectively reducing the net emissions to zero

An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

A target to reduce the prevalence of a greenhouse gas over a specific time frame

A long-lived, colourless gas, chiefly emitted from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation and cement production.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Social protection systems consist of policies that help people manage social risks in order to prevent poverty and maintain decent incomes and living standards

Kinetic energy of airflow transformed into useful energy, mostly electrical energy.

Production of electricity and heat from solar irradiation.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

This sector involves the wholesale and retail selling of goods.

The activities of industries that transforms raw materials into finished goods through industrial processes.

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

Activities that relate to the production of goods and services from forests.

Activities that involve the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food, fibre, and other products essential for human life and industry.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

This sector involves the distribution, treatment, and conservation of water resources.

Activities of government agencies and institutions that provide public services, enforce laws and manage public resources.

This sector involves activities to move goods and people, alongside the storage of products.

Terrestrial means "of the earth" and relates to the risks to ecological system that includes all living organisms and their interactions within land-based environments, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.

Any substance with chemical properties that can cause physical harm to people or damage the environment, including ammonia, carbon monoxide, phosphine, chlorine, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, pesticides, dioxins, microplastics, benzene, asbestos, aflatoxins, fluoride, methanol, and toxins from marine sources.

Extreme weather refers to events where a weather variable exceeds (or falls below) a threshold. Meaning it is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

Financial actors and resources that are primarily directed towards climate change mitigation, adaptation and compensation.

An enterprise or financial institution that is usually majority-owned, backed or significantly controlled by nation-state governments.

2022 Immediate Climate Action Programme

Documents

Summary

About this policy

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Germany Framework Law

Note

2022 Immediate Climate Action Programme

Documents

Summary

About this policy

Topics mentioned most in this policy Beta

Part of a collection

Germany Framework Law

Note

Topics mentioned most in this policy
Beta