Berlin Entry into federal politics was not common for Robert Habeck (Greens). Usually, new members of the Bundestag start out as backbenchers, the first speech in parliament is a kind of baptism of fire in which they appear for the first time. It was different with Habeck.
The Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection had already built up a team around himself for his ambitious goals and started preparations for a whole package of legal measures before he spoke for the first time at the lectern on Thursday as a member of the Bundestag.
And immediately he became fundamental. Habeck explained his plan for the next four years, making it clear that this will not be just a time to share good news. A lot more speed is needed for climate protection. The Green Party leader still made it clear: Despite the ambitious plans, he wants to shake hands with the economy.
A consistent climate protection policy could result in an upswing for industry, medium-sized businesses and crafts, he said. However, one party or one government cannot achieve success on its own. Rather, Habeck wants to win over all actors for his project: “We have to work cooperatively.”
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He received harsh criticism from the opposition. “If it says Minister of Economic Affairs, there must also be Minister of Economic Affairs,” said Julia Klöckner, the Union’s economic policy spokeswoman. “Green planned economy” will not work.
“Worldwide hunger” for fossil fuels
But first of all, Habeck can have the central business associations at his side. “The political pressure to act to achieve climate neutrality in 2045 while maintaining a competitive industry is enormous,” said Siegfried Russwurm, President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Habeck’s inventory coincides with the view of industry. “Companies are pushing the pace when it comes to climate protection,” said Peter Adrian, President of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK).
But while the economy supports Habeck in his goals such as the accelerated expansion of renewable energies or the stop of the energy price explosion, the way to get there is controversial.
This applies first and foremost to energy costs. The rally in fossil fuels has been going on for months, and electricity prices have risen even further as a result. There is agreement that the high energy prices should also be dampened by abolishing the levy under the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).
In view of the rising prices, Habeck also believes that Germany must become less dependent on raw material imports. For this, the renewable energies from wind and sun would have to be expanded much faster. Habeck spoke of a worldwide “hunger” for the fossil fuels gas, oil and coal. That drives prices up.
The FDP also supports this. “The persistently high electricity prices show: It is right to make us independent of supplies of fossil energy from abroad,” said Michael Kruse, energy policy spokesman for the FDP. That must be the long-term goal, that is how the economy also sees it. But that is the future, according to BDI President Russwurm. In the present, that is of no help. “Germany is and will remain an import country for energy,” he said. Climate policy is only successful internationally.
Robert Habeck wants speed in the expansion of renewable energies
Russwurm therefore called on the German government to advocate more international cooperation in the fight against climate change during the German G7 presidency, which started a few days ago, for example by founding climate clubs.
Differences in gas power plants
Habeck wants to cover 80 percent of the electricity consumption by 2030 from renewables. The question arises as to how this can be achieved and what the way to get there must look like. The dispute revolves primarily around gas as an energy source.
The dispute is currently breaking out in the discussion about the EU taxonomy railway: The EU Commission wants to classify gas-fired power plants as sustainable under certain conditions. Habeck doesn’t think so, because fossil natural gas is currently mainly used for those power plants.
Russwurm sees it differently. If you want to stick to the rise in nuclear power, a massive expansion of gas-fired power plants is required. “It is therefore right that the EU Commission wants to recognize gas in the taxonomy,” he said. “In fact, it’s an insurance premium. Every gas power plant is an insurance against the fact that the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. “
The extent to which gas-fired power plants will need it will depend to a large extent on Habeck’s planned acceleration in renewable energies. Currently, the average approval period for wind turbines is six to eight years. “It doesn’t work out that way,” said the Green politician. Planning and approval procedures should therefore be accelerated. “We have to get better, more efficient and more productive,” he said.
Russwurm affirmed that from now on, when it comes to renewables, one no longer has to think in terms of years, but in terms of months. DIHK President Adrian speaks of a “thrust reversal: less bureaucracy and much more speed in the planning and approval process”.
Great hope in climate protection agreements
Habeck has brought the economy on his side above all with a certain plan: When presenting his immediate climate protection program on Tuesday, the Vice Chancellor had given the industry the prospect of meeting the legal and financial requirements for the provision of climate protection contracts as quickly as possible (Carbon Contracts for Difference, CCfD for short) as a “central instrument to support the transformation of industry”.
The public sector undertakes to undertake to companies to bear the additional costs compared to investments in conventional technology and the additional costs of ongoing operations when investing in new, climate-neutral processes.
Habeck triggers criticism with an immediate program for more climate protection
The previous government had also dealt intensively with contracts for differences. However, they have only been used on a trial basis so far. For months now, companies in the steel and chemical industries have been insisting on finally getting a concrete offer from politicians so that they can invest in new plants.
The implementation must take place “immediately”, said Russwurm. The head of the association can understand the concerns of critics that the contracts could become a permanent subsidy. Therefore, they should not become permanent. Care must be taken with the contracts.
“But there is no other chance for the primary industry to remain internationally competitive.” As long as competitors abroad are not so advanced in terms of climate protection, the climate protection treaties in Germany will need it.
More: With these immediate measures, Habeck wants to accelerate the energy transition