Germany has long been considered a leader in climate action, and Chancellor Friedrich Merz is set to join the COP30 conference in Brazil. However, a stagnant economy may jeopardize the country's stated climate goals.

Berlin

Germany, long regarded as a leader in climate policy, has recently faced criticism over its commitment to meeting ambitious emission reduction targets. Despite Chancellor Merz's public affirmation of climate goals, statements from his government and proposed policies have raised doubts among experts about Germany's ability to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.

Key concerns include reliance on funding climate projects abroad to meet EU targets, plans to expand gas power capacity, and economic constraints that may limit domestic investment in the energy transition. As the COP Leaders' Summit approaches, experts urge the government to reaffirm its leadership and treat climate policy as central to long-term prosperity.

Is Germany straying from climate goals ahead of COP30?

The German Chancellor himself made it clear. This government stands by the climate protection goals that we have agreed upon nationally, in Europe and internationally. Germany does have a reputation for being a climate leader. And while experts say its plans to reduce emissions fall short of the international goals set to limit global warming, it does rank among the more ambitious countries. It has a well-developed climate policy with binding targets, including the goal of ending greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. But some signals and proposals by Chancellor Merz's government have raised concerns that Germany may not stay the course. Even if Germany were to become climate neutral overnight, there would not be one less natural disaster in the world. Statements like this one from the Chancellor downplaying Germany's role in fighting the climate crisis have raised alarm about his true commitment to cutting emissions. As did some remarks by his energy minister, who cast doubt on the feasibility of Germany's 2045 climate neutrality goal and on targets to increase renewable energy. In recent months, Friedrich Merz has failed to chart a clear course on climate protection. Instead, he has contributed to uncertainty in German society. It's not just about rhetoric. Climate experts are critical about some government climate policies, too. Like Germany's support for allowing EU emission reduction targets to be met, in part, by funding climate-friendly projects abroad and not at home. Or Energy Minister Reich's plan to install at least 20 gigawatts worth of new gas power plants to compensate for gaps in the energy supply from renewable sources. She also wants to loosen requirements to phase out gas and push renewables for heating private homes. Germany's flat-lined economy and tighter budget could also weaken its ambition to invest in the energy transition at home and contribute to much-needed climate financing abroad. I believe the government needs to bring itself to see climate policy not primarily as an obstacle, an economic obstacle, but rather as something that has a lot to do with securing long-term prosperity. With Chancellor Merz attending the COP's Leaders' Summit in Belem, climate experts hope Germany will continue to lead as it has in the past. But with doubt lingering over Merz's commitment, it's now on him to prove that he actually means what he says on climate protection.

World leaders are gathering at the heart of the Amazon for global climate summit COP30 in Belem, Brazil, with Earth set to surpass 1.5 C of warming in the next decade, a climate change skeptic in the White House and worry that global co-operation to fight climate change is collapsing.

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