Germany urged to move 2045 climate‑neutrality goal to 2050

Representatives of industry, trade unions and some politicians are calling for Germany to shift its climate‑neutrality target from 2045 to 2050, aligning it with the EU timetable. RWE chief Markus Krebber and IGB CE head Michael Vassiliadis argue that the earlier date makes the German industrial location more costly without adding climate benefit. They claim a later target would give companies a clearer long‑term investment perspective.

The Bavarian Business Association (vbw) and the Munich Chamber of Industry and Commerce also support the postponement, warning that a German‑only deadline creates contradictory incentives within the single market. Gitta Connemann of the CDU‑MIT faction and economist Michael Hüther echo the need for a “realistic” schedule. Critics note that the current coalition agreement sets 2045, while the EU plans to reach net‑zero by 2050, and the European emissions‑trading system will be reformed later this year.

All parties agree they do not want to abandon climate protection, but they seek a more flexible emissions‑trading path and sufficient time for the industrial transformation, including hydrogen infrastructure and power‑system upgrades.