The Naturschutzbund (Nabu) has criticized the points presented by the current federal coalition for a reform of Germany’s Building Energy Act.
“By announcing this reform, the government weakens a key instrument for climate protection in the building sector” said Steffi Ober of the Nabu national association in an interview with the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (Thursday edition). “The removal of the 65‑percent renewable energy requirement for heat‑system replacements is a step backward. That rule has ensured reliability and set a firm, legally binding target for switching to climate‑friendly heating”.
The proposed “green‑gas and green‑oil quota” does not replace this safeguard, Ober added. “It is the next pipe dream” she said. “Adding small amounts of non‑fossil fuels is inefficient and does nothing to stop new oil and gas boilers from emitting fossil CO₂ for decades. For consumers, the most affordable and climate‑friendly option remains switching to a heat pump”.
Ober reminded that the building sector has long missed its climate targets. “Instead of dropping clear requirements, we need a decisive expansion of renewable heat and reliable framework conditions to achieve climate neutrality for existing structures” she concluded.
