Climate activist Luisa Neubauer sharply criticized the German government’s plans for a new heating law, specifically accusing Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) and Economics Minister Katherina Reiche (CDU). During her appearance on the ntv show “Blome & Pfeffer” on Monday, Neubauer asserted that Merz’s lack of interest in climate protection is obvious, noting that the same critique applies to Reiche, whom she identified as a former advocate for the gas lobby in the economy ministry.
She argued that the draft law would undermine both German and European laws, stating that it cannot fulfill either climate objectives or EU efficiency requirements for buildings. Neubauer accused the CDU of being “prepared to break constitutional principles for the sake of its fossil ideology” labeling the situation not just an ecological crisis, but a “democratic drama”.
Neubauer also warned about the long-term consequences for future generations. While many people might become interested in heat pumps in the future, she pointed out that millions of people will continue to rely on fossil-fueled heating systems. She stressed that this ensures that future generations, such as herself 20 or 25 years from now, will be tasked with taking responsibility for a country that cannot achieve climate neutrality. She dismissed the hope that fossil heating systems could simply be converted to run on other energy carriers later as merely a “fairy tale”.
Furthermore, Neubauer criticized the position of the SPD party. She called it “a tragedy” if the SPD follows this path, noting that while it may be popularly appealing to tell people “nothing” this maneuver shifts the core burden of responsibility onto younger generations, which she deemed “totally unfair”.
