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Germany submits fossil fuel exit roadmap to UN, targets phase-out by 2045
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On September 23, the German government submitted a fossil fuel exit roadmap at the UN General Assembly, becoming the third major economy after France and the Netherlands to do so. The roadmap commits Germany to phasing out fossil fuels by 2045. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider described it as both a climate and economic policy strategy, noting that Germany spent about 760 billion euros on fossil fuel imports in 2024, with 98% of oil, 95% of gas, and 100% of hard coal imported. The roadmap targets raising renewable electricity to at least 80% by 2030. In heating, heat pump sales rose 55% in 2025, capturing 48% of the market, and are forecast to exceed 70% of new systems. The Heating Planning Law requires at least 30% of heating networks to use renewables or unavoidable waste heat by 2030, rising to 80% by 2040 and full climate neutrality by 2045. In transport, pure electric passenger cars made up 32.4% of new registrations in 2025, with a target of 100% by 2035. Industry decarbonization will rely on electricity, hydrogen, efficiency, and carbon capture. Hydrogen demand is projected at 360-500 TWh by 2045. Schneider cited extreme weather and the Iran-regional situation driving oil and gas price spikes as underscoring the need to reduce fossil fuel dependence. The German Federal Environment Agency estimates renewables avoided about 265 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, generating about 26 billion euros in economic benefits.
Source report
On September 23, the German government submitted a fossil fuel phase-out roadmap during the United Nations General Assembly. The roadmap specifies that Germany will phase out fossil fuels by no later than 2045, making it the third major economy to submit such a plan, following France and the Netherlands.
German Environment Minister Carsten Schneider stated that the roadmap is "not only a climate strategy, but also an economic policy strategy," noting that Germany has historically spent heavily on importing oil and natural gas.
Current Fossil Fuel Dependence
According to the roadmap, fossil fuels still dominate Germany's energy system. In 2024, fossil fuels accounted for nearly 65% of Germany's final energy consumption. Germany relies on imports for:
- 98% of its oil
- 95% of its natural gas
- 100% of its hard coal
Lignite (brown coal) is the only fuel produced entirely domestically. In 2024, Germany spent approximately €76 billion on fossil fuel imports, with about two-thirds of that amount going to oil and petroleum products.
Renewable Energy and Power Sector
Solar photovoltaic power is the second-largest energy source in Germany's electricity system, behind wind power. The roadmap sets a target to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity generation to at least 80% by 2030.
The German government is also exploring the phase-out of coal, which still accounts for nearly one-quarter of Germany's electricity generation.
New gas-fired power plants receiving state support for supply security must meet "hydrogen-ready" conditions and achieve climate-neutral operations by 2045. Germany has also decided to create conditions for the use of climate-neutral fuels in existing gas-fired power plants by 2030, accelerating the transition from natural gas to hydrogen, alongside battery storage and end-use electrification.
Heating Sector
In 2025, approximately 299,000 heat pumps were sold in Germany, a 55% year-on-year increase. Their market share rose from 27% the previous year to 48%, making heat pumps the best-selling heating technology in Germany for the first time.
The roadmap predicts that heat pumps will become the dominant form of heating in Germany over the coming decades, accounting for more than 70% of new heating system sales.
According to the Heat Planning Act:
- By 2030, at least 30% of heating networks must use renewable energy or unavoidable waste heat
- By 2040, this share rises to 80%
- By 2045, heating networks must be fully climate-neutral
The German government supports the replacement of gas and oil boilers with heat pumps through national subsidies covering 30% to 70% of costs, with additional subsidies available for low-income households.
Transport Sector
In 2025, battery electric passenger cars accounted for 32.4% of new passenger car registrations in Germany. The roadmap projects that by 2035, 100% of newly registered passenger cars in Germany will be battery electric.
Industrial Decarbonization
Decarbonization in the industrial sector will be achieved primarily through:
- Switching to electricity and hydrogen
- Improving energy efficiency
- Using carbon capture technologies for emissions that are difficult to avoid
Hydrogen is considered key to the energy transition. According to Germany's National Hydrogen Strategy, demand for hydrogen and its derivatives is expected to reach 360 to 500 TWh (hydrogen) and approximately 200 TWh (derivatives) by 2045.
Economic and Climate Benefits
Carsten Schneider noted that rising oil and gas prices due to the situation in Iran and regional tensions further highlight the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels. "Not only do the frequent extreme weather events around the world show that we urgently need to take more measures to protect the climate," he said.
According to the German Federal Environment Agency (UBA), renewable energy in 2025 avoided approximately 265 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and generated economic benefits of around €26 billion.
(Source: The Paper)
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