The German federal cabinet adopted the Climate Protection Programme 2026 on Wednesday in Berlin. Environmental Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) announced that the package contains 67 measures aimed at saving more than 25 million tonnes of CO₂ by 2030. Among the actions are an auction for 2 000 additional wind turbines, a new funding scheme for 800 000 electric cars, and support for industry to switch to modern technologies.
The government has earmarked a total of €8 billion for implementation. Starting in 2027, an extra €7.6 billion will come from the Climate and Transformation Fund, and €400 million from a special portfolio. These funds are intended to decarbonise industry, promote the circular economy, and, according to the ministry, enable Germany to save billions of euros a year on natural‑gas and gasoline imports.
In the transport sector the programme highlights the electric‑vehicle incentive and the expansion of charging infrastructure, as well as the long‑term continuation and financing of the Deutschland‑Ticket. The plan claims that by 2030 the ticket will cut a million tonnes of CO₂ per year, roughly equivalent to 435 million litres of petrol-or nearly ten million full fuel tanks. Schneider said the calculation is based on the current ticket price and that experts expect the initiative to encourage a shift away from car use. “And I believe that given current prices such momentum is realistic” he told the dts news agency.
The package also includes measures to support agriculture and to safeguard intact forests, peatlands, and soils, helping to bind carbon and lower greenhouse‑gas emissions. Schneider described the programme as a “new push for climate protection” but added that further effort is needed to meet climate targets. “Climate protection requires endurance, reliability, and the willingness to adjust whenever there are new needs, opportunities, or insights” he said.
