The German government has reached a compromise on the shift to climate-friendly heating by effectively postponing a ban on fossil fuel heating systems, following months of bickering among the three-way coalition. Agreement on a draft law was only made possible by a number of concessions that were previously considered non-negotiable by individual governing parties - the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens, and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP). According to a report in Table Berlin, the law – which has long been blocked by the pro-business FDP – will also postpone municipalities’ obligation to provide climate-friendly heating networks by several years. The main part of the law – a ban on fossil fuel-only heating systems – will only apply to new buildings from January 2024, and only to buildings in purely new construction areas. In its highly controversial previous agreement, the government had proposed a general de-facto fossil fuel heating ban from the start of next year.
In existing buildings and new buildings outside of development areas, new oil and gas heating systems can continue to be installed until the municipality has delivered a climate-neutral district heating plan, also with an extended deadline, the compromise states. Economy minister Robert Habeck described the result of the negotiations as “good,” adding that he was pleased that the government wanted to pass the law before the summer break - Habeck's long-stated aim. Energy and water industry association BDEW also welcomed the plans. However, environmental NGO Deutsche Umwelthilfe described it as “a low point for climate policy.” After a months-long debate, the coalition initially agreed in April to allow various technologies, longer transition periods and more compliance options to make the law “even more consumer-friendly.”
Germany has neglected the decarbonisation of its building sector for years — which is directly responsible for around 15 percent of the country’s entire CO2 output. The draft law for a phase-out of fossil fuel-powered boilers triggered a fierce debate, with critics arguing that the investment costs for climate-friendly solutions like heat pumps will overburden homeowners or tenants.
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/german-government-reaches-hard-fought-compromise-fossil-fuel-heating-ban
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Banning fossil fuel will help save the planet...
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Dear Ajema Lydiah Thank you for getting your climate love to level 2! We have reached out to Germany and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! /Ford We Don't Have Time
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The ban of fossil fuels will help in climate changes
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@videlis_wanjiru #saynotofossilfuels
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The focus should remain on accelerating efforts to develop and implement sustainable heating solutions in the long run.
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Great step by Germany, this will reduce climate change effects drastically.
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climate actions should be urgently delt with to avoid future ignorance or the change of mind
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Fossils fuels to be banned for the benefit of our planet
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Banning fossil fuels will help mitigate the effects of climate change.
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Interesting
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I would like to see fossil fuels phased out but I also don't want to see the German people left cold
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@munene_mugambi I agree
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I'm not sure it is such good news to have this being postponed... Sure, it is great that it is happening, but the climate crisis can't be postponed...