Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) urged a new direction for Germany’s energy policy in light of the war in Iran. “All energy‑policy decisions that are pending now must serve the goal of making Germany less dependent on uncertain fossil fuels” he told “Spiegel”.
Schneider explained that renewable energies are security energies that have already cut Germany’s and Europe’s fatal reliance on fossil fuels. “Heat pumps and electric cars are technologies that make our country stronger and safer in uncertain geopolitical times” he added, citing recent Middle‑East developments as proof.
He argued that a country that has fortified itself with wind turbines, solar installations, heat pumps, and electric cars can look toward the Straits of Hormuz with fewer economic worries. “The Iran war is a painful reminder of how vulnerable we still are to shocks in the oil and gas markets” he said. “Through these dependencies Germany loses billions, to the benefit of oil and gas companies”.
Schneider concluded that climate protection is the solution to the fossil‑energy crisis: “Choosing climate protection is also a geopolitically and geo‑economically wise decision”.