Environmental associations: Heat Act loses claim to climate protection
Several German environmental associations have criticized the current draft of the German government's Heat Planning Act. Due to several changes compared to the first draft, the current draft has "lost its claim to climate protection", the associations announced in a joint paper.
The paper was written by Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), Naturschutzbund (Nabu), Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The associations criticize, among other things, that the law would not be sufficient for a heating transition that is in line with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
For example, the original draft bill's target of generating at least 50 percent of heat from renewable energies by 2030 has been reduced to 30 percent. There are also numerous exemptions and options for municipalities to postpone deadlines, which make the law ineffective. Furthermore, the draft does not provide for any fines for non-compliance.
What does the law want?
The Heat Planning Act, which is being drafted in the Ministry of Construction by Klara Geywitz (SPD), is intended to supplement the Heating Act that has already been passed.
Only when a heating plan is in place will owners be obliged to heat with at least 65% renewable energy if their old natural gas or oil heating system is irreparably defective - although there are transitional periods. From 2024, only heating systems based on 65% renewable energy may be installed in new-build areas.
For existing buildings, municipal heating planning is to be the linchpin. According to the draft law, large cities should draw up a heating plan by mid-2026 at the latest, smaller cities by mid-2028. Citizens should then know whether their district will be connected to a district heating network or whether they need to install a heat pump for climate-friendly heating, for example.
The second hearing on the Heat Planning Act is due to take place today in the Building Committee.
- The criticism from environmental associations like DUH, Nabu, DNR, and WWF towards the current draft of the Heat Planning Act is due to its reduced target of generating at least 30% of heat from renewable energies by 2030, which they believe is insufficient for climate protection.
- TheEnvironmental associations also critique that numerous exemptions and options for municipalities to postpone deadlines make the law ineffective, and it does not include any fines for non-compliance, which they view as a significant drawback.
- According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the Heat Planning Act, currently under revision in the Ministry of Construction by Klara Geywitz (SPD), may not be sufficient for a heating transition that aligns with the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees.
- The German government's Heat Planning Act, which aims to supplement the Heating Act, faces criticism from environmental associations and criticisms related to climate change, effectiveness, and commitment to renewable energy standards for heat generation.
Source: www.dpa.com
