The Federal Government is aiming to achieve the highest possible level of transparency and monitoring in the implementation of its Climate Change Act (Klimaschutzgesetz), which entered into force on 18 December 2019. Annual limits for greenhouse gas emissions are stipulated in law for all sectors. If the limits are not adhered to, the Federal Government makes immediate corrections.
1 min reading time
Climate protection is law
The target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030 is anchored in the Climate Change Act (Klimaschutzgesetz). In the long term, the Federal Government’s objective is to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. As at 15 March each year, the Federal Government calculates the level of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the previous year in Germany as a whole and by sectors. The “Expertenrat für Klimafragen” (council of experts on climate issues) reviews the data and assists the Federal Government with the rapid adoption of emergency programmes if a correction is required. The council also reviews assumptions forming the basis of estimates on the greenhouse gas-reducing effects of individual measures. In addition, it comments on new climate action programmes to update Germany’s long-term strategy, the Climate Action Plan 2050 (Klimaschutzplan 2050), as well as changes to the annual limits for sectors, which are possible under certain circumstances. Finally, the German Bundestag and Federal Government can commission the expert council to prepare special reports.