The new law replaces the previous requirement that new heating systems must be powered by at least 65 percent renewable energy. In the future, new gas and oil heating systems will also be permitted, provided they use an increasing share of climate-neutral fuels such as biomethane from 2029 onward – a so-called bio-staircase: from January 2029, ten percent is required, from 2030 fifteen percent, from 2035 thirty percent, and from 2040 sixty percent. From 2045, heating systems must run completely climate-neutrally, by which time Germany aims to be CO2-neutral overall.
Landlords who continue to rely on fossil fuel heating will in future have to share in the ongoing heating costs. For existing heating systems, a green gas quota of up to one percent is planned from 2028 – details are still unclear. The government assumes that climate targets can also be achieved with biomethane, bio-oil, or hydrogen.
The law has drawn sharp criticism. Green Party parliamentary group leader Katharina Dröge said: “This reform is an accelerant for the climate crisis. It is completely oblivious to the future that the CDU and SPD are once again relying on climate-damaging oil and gas heating.” The German Environmental Aid announced a constitutional complaint. BUND climate expert Tina Löffelsend called this summer’s heatwaves “another wake-up call for more climate protection” and accused the government of further fueling the climate crisis. Union deputy parliamentary group leader Sepp Müller, however, welcomed the law: “We are replacing paternalism with freedom of choice.”
Source: Tagesschau
