The German Federal Minister for the Environment, Carsten Schneider (SPD), announced a tightening of climate‑change measures aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The report appeared in the Tuesday edition of “Bild”, which quoted a draft of the “Climate Protection Programme 2026”.
Key proposals include:
” “Heating system upgrades” – The government will raise the subsidy for climate‑friendly heating replacements from 30 % to 40 % of the cost for households with a taxable annual income of up to €30 000.
” “Building improvements” – Families earning up to €40 000 per year will receive a 30 % cost‑reimbursement when they replace windows or install new insulation. If a property’s current insulation is deemed particularly poor, the subsidy would increase by an additional 10 percentage points.
” “Employment in the climate sector” – Schneider plans to create more jobs in what he calls the “climate trades”. Measures include easier access to Bafög (student loan/funding) and state subsidies for all training programs related to the heat transition.
” “Methane reduction in livestock” – The minister proposes establishing a methane‑measurement programme for dairy cows, similar to New Zealand’s system, and funding research into new cow breeds that emit less methane. He also suggests examining whether the value‑added tax on plant‑based products could be lowered.
These initiatives represent Schneider’s broader commitment to intensify Germany’s strategy for a sustainable, climate‑neutral future.