Climate NGOs call for German gov’t to prioritise social fairness in upcoming action programme

Germany’s upcoming reform proposals to put the country on track to reach its climate targets should ensure financial benefits reach all citizens, climate umbrella group Climate-Alliance Germany said. Alongside social service and welfare groups, the NGO said that investments in renewable energy, efficient buildings, and climate-neutral mobility should provide tangible relief, especially for low-income households.

The government has until 25 March to present a comprehensive programme laying out the measures it intends to implement to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2030 and 2040.

The upcoming Climate Action Programme must safeguard vulnerable groups by offering reliable and socially tiered energy efficiency renovation subsidies, and reduce a levy allowing landlords to increase rents following refurbishments, said Verena Bentele, who heads the social association VdK Germany.

“Pensioners, low-income families, and people with health conditions, in particular, need the assurance that the energy transition will reduce their heating costs in the long term, instead of further straining their already limited budgets,” Bentele added.

The groups also called on the government to finally present a national Social Climate Plan, detailing financial support to vulnerable households during the energy transition. The key EU instrument aims to protect low-income households as the bloc introduces a carbon price for fossil fuels in buildings and transport. Member states must submit the national plans to receive EU funding for support measures, but most countries missed last year's deadline and have yet to present their plans. 

Climate policies that do not account for residents’ income risk increasing social divisions, as CO₂ prices place a particular burden on poorer households while the wealthy cause twice the emissions, a German government report warned in December.