"While the previous law required most newly installed heating systems to use at least 65% renewable energy, often with a heat pump, the reformed legislation will allow households to keep using oil and gas. It also removes a mandate for expert consultation when installing a new heating system."
"The previous legislation, drawn up by the Greens and passed in 2023, was seen as one of the party's boldest policy goals in the previous centre-left-led government under Olaf Scholz. But, although praised by climate experts for its ambitious targets, it antagonised voters still bruised by the Covid-19 pandemic and worried about energy supply after the war in Ukraine hiked up inflation."
"The far-right, climate-sceptic Alternative fur Deutschland party also raged against the 2023 law, in particular its promotion of heat pumps, attacking the Greens for forcing households to make expensive renovations and taking away their freedom to choose."
Germany's coalition government has dismantled key provisions of a 2023 heating law that mandated renewable energy use in newly installed heating systems. The previous legislation required at least 65% renewable energy, typically through heat pumps, but the reformed law permits households to continue using oil and gas while removing expert consultation requirements. The original law, championed by the Greens under Robert Habeck, faced significant public backlash amplified by media coverage and concerns about energy costs following pandemic and Ukraine-related inflation. The far-right Alternative for Deutschland party opposed the law, claiming it forced expensive renovations and limited consumer choice. Chancellor Friedrich Merz's conservative CDU fulfilled campaign promises by weakening these provisions after negotiations with coalition partners, asserting the changes maintain CO2 reduction goals for buildings.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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