CEOs call on German government to continue energy transition with business interests in mind
Clean Energy Wire
A group of CEOs of leading companies in Germany have called on the government to continue steadfast with the energy transition, citing the need for “reliable and stable political framework conditions,” according to a press release from the Climate Economy Foundation, who organised the effort. The business leaders, hailing from companies including supermarket chain Aldi Süd, aerospace and defence manufacturer Rolls-Royce, and construction giant Strabag among others, laid out a 12-point plan to keep German industry competitive without sacrificing climate protection.
The authors argue that aligning interests of business with climate action will stop climate protection “being made the scapegoat for the poor economic situation.” Instead, high energy prices and dwindling sales markets, combined with enormous bureaucratic hurdles, insufficient digitalisation and geopolitical tensions, were putting companies under enormous pressure and hampering urgently needed growth, the appeal read.
Measures put forward in the appeal include continued development of new technological solutions, like carbon capture and utilisation or storage (CCUS), launching the hydrogen market, and expanding electrification and renewable energy generation. At the same time, the CEOs are pushing for policy solutions to lower electricity prices and to ensure a continued development of the European emissions trading system (EU ETS).
They also called on the government to speed up the pace of bureaucratic planning, decision-making and digitalisation, suggesting that the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) should be transposed into German law rapidly while working with industry.
While Germany is roughly on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets, the economy has grown sluggishly since the energy crisis of 2022. Critics say the government could lower its level of climate ambition following a “reality check” report commissioned by the energy ministry, which largely focussed on the electricity sector.
