An alliance of environmental NGOs, led by the umbrella organization DNR, has urged the German government to integrate a clear cross-sector finance strategy into the upcoming Climate Action Programme 2026. The coalition emphasized that such a strategy is essential to ensure sufficient funding for climate initiatives and to systematically phase out climate-damaging subsidies in favor of climate-positive investments.
The NGOs acknowledged that Germany has built a solid foundation for climate action in recent years, citing progress such as the increased share of renewable energy, the impact of EU emissions trading, ambitious vehicle emission standards, and the Building Energy Act. However, they warned that some government proposals and policy changes could weaken these instruments, potentially undermining efforts to meet national climate goals. They stressed that current measures are still insufficient to close the gap toward achieving Germany’s climate targets.
Beyond financial planning, the NGOs called for consistent electrification across industry, buildings, and transport sectors, as well as more effective measures in agriculture and the land use sector (LULUCF). These actions are seen as critical to meeting emission reduction targets and supporting a comprehensive approach to climate mitigation.
Germany is legally required to adopt a full programme of measures by March 2026, combining new proposals with previously announced initiatives from the coalition agreement and early government actions. The latest emissions projections indicate that Germany is not on track to meet its climate goals, particularly beyond 2030. Emissions reductions in the transport and building sectors remain particularly challenging, with both sectors expected to exceed their emission budgets, potentially jeopardizing compliance with EU targets and incurring significant costs.
