About: Svenja Schulze
Only slight improvements in German nitrate levels
This week, Germany must report the nitrate levels of its groundwater to the European Commission. According to media reports, the trend is slightly positive but even the Commission admits that a comparison with other EU countries is difficult. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German cabinet approves final ‘Coal Phase-out Act’
The German cabinet put the finishing touches to its Coal Phase-out Act on Wednesday (24 June), aiming for the draft package of laws to clear the Bundestag before the summer break, unless the European Commission decides to strike it down. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Renewable energy capacity at record level worldwide in 2019
The share of renewable energies in global electricity generation increased again last year. Capacity financed by investments was even at a record level in 2019, according to a recent report on global investments in renewables. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German cabinet agrees CO2 price of €25 from January 2021
Germany's cabinet agreed on Wednesday (20 May) on changes to the climate package launched last September, and it is now certain that from January 2021, a price of €25 per tonne of CO2 will apply to the heat and transport sectors in Germany. EURACTIV Germany reports.
One-third of animal species in Germany in bad shape, says new government report
One day before the European Commission unveils its new biodiversity strategy, Germany presented its national nature report, which stressed that while some populations are recovering, insects are now in very bad shape. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Breakthrough in Germany’s wind and solar energy dispute
Germany's grand coalition of Christian Democrats (CDU/CSU) and Social Democrats (SPD) on Monday (18 May) agreed on the abolition of the solar cap and an "opt-out solution" for a standard distance for wind turbines. This is a decisive milestone for the expansion of renewable energy in Germany, EURACTIV Germany reports.
Petersberg Climate Dialogue: German ambitions remain blurry
The Petersberg Climate Dialogue opened on Monday with an appeal to place climate protection at the centre of economic recovery. Yet, it remains to be seen how much ambition Germany will show in this respect. EURACTIV Germany reports.
France, Germany join group of 10 EU countries calling for green recovery
Paris and Berlin have added their names to a growing list of EU capitals asking for the European Green Deal to be placed at the heart of the EU’s post-pandemic recovery plan.
German fertiliser regulation amendment ignites spat between government ministers
After the European Commission rejected previous drafts amending Germany's fertiliser regulation, the agriculture ministry announced it would send a final draft to Brussels this week, but the environment minister was full of criticism at her cabinet colleague. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German farmers reject government’s €1 billion ‘consolation prize’ for stricter fertiliser regulations
Germany's grand coalition wants to support agriculture with €1 billion when stricter fertiliser regulations come into force soon. Farmers, however, are outraged, as they are demanding political action instead of money. Yet, the clock is ticking in Brussels and hefty fines are imminent. EURACTIV Germany reports.
40,000 farmers on tractors block Berlin in protest at new agricultural policy
Tens of thousands of farmers protested in Berlin on Tuesday (26 November) against the government's new agricultural policy. They complained about increasing environmental protection requirements and falling product prices, which are increasingly damaging their business. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Altmaier’s planned ‘turbine-free zones’ could halve Germany’s wind energy potential
Proposals to introduce a minimum distance of 1,000 metres between wind turbines and buildings have attracted fierce criticism from the German environment ministry, which said the draft new rules would derail the country's plan to boost renewable energy by 2030. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German ministers urge EU to lead the way at COP25 in Madrid
At a Berlin conference to prepare for the UN's annual climate summit (COP25), Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas stressed the EU's responsibility in closing the Paris Climate Agreement's remaining gaps, particularly by raising the targets at EU level. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Bundestag wants to impose climate tax on MPs’ official trips
The Bundestag's Council of Elders decided that there should be a climate tax for the official trips of MPs, starting in 2020. For the first time, the Council has started to debate the building blocks of Germany's recently proposed climate package. EURACTIV's media partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Fertiliser regulation: German ministers warn farmers will have to make extensive efforts
The European Commission and German agricultural and environmental ministers met in Brussels on Wednesday (28 August) to discuss the country's fertiliser regulation. It was concluded that although Germany is on the right track, it should seriously speed up its efforts and work on the text's precision. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German coalition divided over carbon pricing
Should Germany put a price on carbon emissions from transport, buildings or agriculture, which are currently not covered by the EU emissions trading scheme? The question is dividing members of the ruling coalition. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German environment chief seeks dialogue with Poland over climate neutrality
German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze announced that she will be holding talks with representatives of all states that have so far refused to join the EU's carbon neutrality objective for 2050. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German climate protection bill avoids review at Chancellor’s office
The German Climate Protection Regulation is on its way and is being evaluated by various German ministries - even without having first been approved by the Chancellery. Germany's Environment Minister Svenja Schulze has thus anticipated the usual process. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Think tanks table key point plan for German climate cabinet
Two prominent think tanks in Germany presented a plan to help the country reach its EU climate targets for 2030. They serve as concrete proposals for Germany’s recently implemented climate cabinet, which is set to table its draft climate protection law by the summer. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Merkel sends first strong message for climate neutrality by 2050
Chancellor Angela Merkel has indicated for the first time that Germany may join a European alliance to achieve greenhouse gas neutrality by 2050. At a recent EU summit, Germany was unwilling to join a similar initiative by nine EU member states. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German action plan for insect protection: Farmers want greater say
With insects declining at an alarming rate, the German environment ministry wants an action plan to protect them before the end of the year. But farmers are feeling ignored in the process and are calling for more environmental protection incentives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
German ‘climate protection law’: Critics call for alternatives to sector objectives
Germany is at odds over the first draft of its national ‘climate protection law.’ Lessons learned from a similar French law show that one thing is important above all: agreeing on measures as quickly as possible. EURACTIV Germany reports.