During an evening broadcast on ARD’s “Report from Berlin” Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) stated that the government is prepared for potential budgetary difficulties due to the ongoing energy crisis, asserting, “We have to proceed cautiously; in a crisis situation like this, there is no other option”.
Schneider acknowledged that the crisis presents a shock to economic growth and noted the federal government’s efforts to limit the crisis’s impact, which includes precautions against rising unemployment.
Regarding demands from the aviation sector-specifically requesting subsidies for kerosene or a temporary pause on emissions trading-Schneider flatly rejected these ideas. The minister explained that the state cannot resolve every problem financially, warning that attempting to do so would overwhelm the government’s resources. He urged airlines to move beyond the assumption that operations can continue indefinitely with current fuel sources. Instead, he emphasized that the industry must make every effort toward adopting sustainable fuels, adding that “there is still much room for improvement, even for Lufthansa”.
According to the minister, the primary lesson to be drawn from the war in Iran is the urgent necessity of scaling up renewable energy sources. “This is the clear response to this international crisis, which is the most severe energy crisis we have ever experienced” Schneider remarked.
The SPD politician also expressed skepticism regarding the plans for reforming the energy transition put forward by Economy Minister Katherina Reiche. He pointed out that these remain proposals rather than enacted laws. While acknowledging the necessity of making the energy transition affordable, Schneider stressed that it must also be accelerated.
