05.11.2025 - "It is positive that the Council has decided not to adopt a climate target of 90 percent. Achieving such a target would have required the areas of energy supply, industry, buildings, and transport in Germany to be climate-neutral within just 15 years. This would completely overwhelm our economy.

It is also correct that the EU Environment Ministers have now opened opportunities for climate protection through cooperation with third countries. The planned regular review of the climate target with regard to its impact on European competitiveness is also important. The Council proposals thus take up suggestions from the current DIHK study "New Ways for the Energy Transition ('Plan B')", which recommends a cost-efficient and international approach to climate and energy policy.

In implementing the 2040 target, policy should focus on sound framework conditions to enable companies to efficiently, progressively, and economically adapt their production towards climate neutrality. For this, companies need more leeway from the EU Commission, consistent technology neutrality, and less bureaucracy. Fragmented regulations bind capacities in companies that are urgently needed for the practical implementation of the energy transition."