Germany
Thunberg joins protest against German coal mine expansion
The German government agreed that utility RWE could expand the Luetzerath coal mine in exchange for a faster national coal phase-out
German CO2 cuts stall as coal, oil use cancel out renewable gains
In a pivot away from Russian gas, Germany cut energy consumption to its lowest level since the Berlin Wall fell – but increased coal burning
Germany considers €1 billion in support for 10 fossil fuel projects overseas
German support for any of the projects would breach a pledge made last year to stop funding coal, oil and gas projects overseas from 1 January
German, US cash aims to cut Egypt’s gas use and boost exports
Egypt has agreed to consider a net zero target and speed up renewable deployment with the multimillion dollar package
Germany hypes green hydrogen alliance while shopping for Canadian fossil gas
Olaf Scholz is boosting gas infrastructure projects on the basis they will be “hydrogen-ready”, which experts say is unrealistic and risks locking in high emissions
Germany promotes insurance-based ‘global shield’ for climate victims
The German initiative aims to fix the flaws in humanitarian aid, but with no new money behind it campaigners are sceptical
Germany, Italy moot support for gas export facility in Argentina
Olaf Scholz and Mario Draghi met with Argentina’s president Alberto Fernández to discuss support for new gas infrastructure on the sidelines of G7 meetings
Germany, Italy push G7 into watering down pledge to end overseas gas finance
G7 leaders pledged to end overseas public finance for fossil fuels but made exceptions for temporary gas investments deemed “necessary” to address the energy crisis
Germany, Japan must not water down G7 commitment to end fossil fuel finance
There are worrying signs from Berlin and Tokyo of backsliding on a pledge to end public finance for fossil fuel projects overseas by the end of the year
Germany to build LNG terminals at ‘Tesla speed’ in shift away from Russian gas
Green vice-chancellor Robert Habeck is fast-tracking gas import facilities to weaken the Kremlin’s market power
Germany needs a more joined-up climate diplomacy strategy
To make an impact as G7 president, Berlin must reduce its dependency on fossil gas and get all the key ministries working together
Germany must bring African nations into its G7 ‘climate club’
The new German government must prioritise the climate crisis in its Africa policy, and make climate diplomacy with Africa a core component of its G7 presidency
Germany backs gas as “transition” fuel in EU green finance guidelines
In a letter, Berlin stressed its opposition to nuclear while calling on the European Commission to ease restrictions on gas in the transition to clean energy
Germany ‘must triple pace of emissions cuts’ to meet 2030 target
Germany missed its climate targets in 2021 and the incoming “traffic light” coalition is promising a major policy package to turn things around
Germany to quit coal by 2030 under coalition agreement, aiming for 1.5C path
A “traffic light coalition” of centre-left, green and pro-business parties has agreed to strengthen climate policies in the next German government
Fatal floods expose gaps in Germany’s disaster preparedness
While heavy rain was forecast, infrastructure was overwhelmed and many residents did not get the message about the dangers
Germany raises ambition to net zero by 2045 after landmark court ruling
A surprise plan to strengthen Germany’s emission targets reignites debate on quitting coal and pricing carbon ahead of September’s election
Top court rules German climate law falls short, in ‘historic’ victory for youth
In a surprise verdict, Germany’s highest court found that government climate targets violate the freedoms of youth plaintiffs by deferring emissions cuts
Germany’s conservative CDU picks coal industry supporter Armin Laschet as leader
The premier of Germany’s coal mining heartland could be chosen as the country’s conservative alliance candidate for chancellor in a general election in September
France seeks German collaboration on hydrogen in EU green recovery
The EU’s biggest economies are investing billions of euros in building clean hydrogen fuel capacity to decarbonise heavy industry and transport