DESSAU (dpa-AFX) – In light of accelerating global warming, Germany's Environment Agency (UBA) is urging greater ambition and speed in climate protection, and has presented far-reaching proposals. “By 2030, at least nine out of ten newly registered passenger cars should be fully electric,” states a new study. Over 48 pages, the report outlines in detail how Germany can reduce its climate-damaging greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent or more by 2040.
The chapter on transport policy further emphasizes that the EU decision to ban new vehicles with combustion engines from 2035 must be strictly upheld. Moreover, “Germany should reach this target at least three years earlier and stop registering new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles with combustion engines by 2032 at the latest.” To achieve this, the transformation of the domestic automotive industry must be significantly accelerated.
Car Toll on All Roads from 2030
The study also recommends introducing a car toll on all roads starting in 2030, with a gradual increase until 2035, depending on the distance driven. This measure is deemed necessary to help finance transportation. Additionally, from 2030, the existing truck toll should be extended to all roads. Currently, it applies only to federal highways.
Regarding air travel, the UBA proposes, among other measures, phasing out the tax exemption for kerosene by 2030, as well as ending the value-added tax exemption in international air transport.
End of Natural Gas Power Generation by 2040 at the Latest
The report also sets concrete targets for industry. Operating permits for new industrial plants based on fossil fuels—oil, gas, and coal—should be limited to 2045 at the latest, which would increase planning certainty and prevent “stranded” assets. Operating power plants with fossil fuels is incompatible with greenhouse gas-neutral electricity generation, the study argues: “Therefore, analogous to the coal phase-out, natural gas power generation must also end by 2040 at the latest.” To ensure adequate power plant capacity, hydrogen power plants must be installed and retrofitted on a sufficient scale by 2045.
Mitigating the Burden on Citizens
The study stresses that burdens on citizens should be cushioned. “Without social support, this could lead to significant individual, societal, and political challenges.” The background is that greenhouse gas emissions will gradually be subjected to increasingly higher prices. Therefore, revenue from CO 2 pricing in the transport and building sectors should be returned to citizens. “A socially differentiated climate bonus for households with low and middle incomes serves as basic protection,” the study states./toz/DP/jha
