Impulses for Energy and Climate Policy in the Building Sector

The building sector faces the challenge of becoming climate neutral—by 2045 in Germany—without overburdening companies. A position paper, adopted by the DIHK Presidium in late March 2025, provides five points for a practical, technology-neutral approach.

Reducing bureaucracy, emissions trading, involving the economy, and more: How the transformation of the building sector can succeed in achieving climate goals while remaining economically successful is described by the DIHK's position paper for energy and climate policy in the building sector.

Regulation threatens to tighten

Although the coalition agreement presented in April by CDU, CSU and SPD plans to simplify energy and climate policies for buildings, stricter regulatory requirements from Berlin and Brussels can still be expected for the renovation of existing residential and non-residential buildings, new constructions, and the use of renewable heating technologies. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry therefore advocates legal certainty and economically friendly, practical, and technology-neutral frameworks for the building sector.

The corresponding DIHK position paper from March 25, 2025 identifies five "Impulses for Energy and Climate Policy in the Building Sector" aimed at achieving climate goals while remaining economically successful:

Five Impulses

The upcoming second emissions trading system (ETS 2) for 2027 is set to provide stronger incentives for reducing emissions in the building sector. The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) evaluates ETS 2 as an "efficient market-based climate protection tool that is technology-neutral and flexible towards achieving EU climate targets" and opposes its effectiveness being weakened by additional instruments. This includes energy taxation as well as regulatory requirements.

Since the requirements for municipal thermal planning vary locally, it should differentiate between rural and urban areas according to DIHK, while utilizing potential synergies between residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. Hydrogen opportunities must be systematically identified and integrated. The DIHK warns against excessive detail and information requirements and advocates for nationwide uniform regulations.