Climate protection

The process of reducing GHG emissions and holding the increase in the global average temperature to 1,5 °C above pre-industrial levels, in line with the Paris Agreement.

Climate protection encompasses all organizational, technical, and political measures aimed at limiting global warming caused by human activities and mitigating its negative impacts. Central elements include the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and ensuring quality of life for future generations. The main goals involve limiting the global temperature increase to a maximum of 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, ideally to 1.5 °C, in accordance with the guidelines of the Paris Climate Agreement. Germany has set ambitious national targets, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030 and achieving greenhouse gas neutrality by no later than 2045.

Germany's Climate Protection Act forms the backbone of national climate policy by setting binding emission targets for various sectors and mandating the federal government to publish concrete measures. The current climate protection program includes initiatives such as the expansion of renewable energies, the promotion of energy-efficient building renovations, and CO₂-based levies.

Key action areas include the energy transition, the heating transition, the mobility transition, and natural climate protection, which promotes the protection and restoration of ecosystems as natural CO₂ sinks. Additionally, Germany is committed internationally to climate protection issues, such as through technology transfer and support for poorer countries. Despite progress made, significant challenges remain, particularly in the fields of transport and industry. The success of climate protection measures depends on the involvement of all societal actors to achieve the set goals and create a greenhouse gas-neutral society.