Overview

• Germany will meet its 2021–2030 CO₂ budget due to a 110 Mt emissions buffer created by economic crises, not robust climate policies.
• Projections indicate Germany will miss its 65% emissions reduction target by 2030 and fail to meet EU obligations for the same period.
• The Expertenrat warns that forests and land-use sectors have shifted from carbon sinks to emitters, undermining natural climate protection efforts.
• The new schwarz-rote coalition's energy policies, including plans for gas-fired power expansion and heating law repeal, lack clarity and risk derailing long-term climate goals.
• A legally mandated comprehensive climate program is due by March 2026, with sector-specific proposals required by September 2025, as Germany faces mounting pressure to address structural gaps.