The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is calling on the German government to accelerate its exit from fossil fuels. According to UBA President Dirk Messner, “Every further heat record makes it clear: we must leave fossil fuels faster.”
Messner noted that Germany and the EU possess the necessary instruments for this transition, emphasizing that the focus now must shift to consistent implementation and increased pace. He outlined several key priorities that require attention: expanding renewable energy sources, promoting more efficient use and saving of energy and water, and rapidly and permanently reducing emissions in transport, buildings, and industry.
In addition to mitigation efforts, Messner stressed the urgent need to prepare for the consequences of climate change that can no longer be prevented. He highlighted that cities require more greenery and shade, that sealed areas must be unsealed, and that better water retention strategies need to be established. Furthermore, local municipalities must be supported in planning for heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and floods.
This urgent demand is set against the backdrop of recent environmental data; the EU Climate Change Service, Copernicus, announced Monday in Bonn that June and July in Western Europe broke temperature records, marking the hottest summer months on record since monitoring began.
