Germany should not forget measures to tackle climate in an era of COVID-19 crisis management, a leading German energy body has urged.
Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft (BDEW) chief executive Kerstin Andreae expressed concern that climate protection and COVID-19 should not be “played off against each other”.
“More than ever, the government is required to ensure trust and stability. The smartest economic stimulus is the one that triggers investments in climate protection technologies,” she said.
BDEW is the largest business body of its kind in Germany and has 1800 members.
In her statement, Andreae referred to Germany’s Renewable Energy Sources Act, which came into force on 1 April 2000, as the ‘pillar’ of the country’s energy system.
The act was instrumental in driving Germany’s current 43% share of renewable energy.
“But we cannot rest on our laurels. In order to make Germany climate-neutral, the energy transition must continue to be pushed forward, also with a view to the production of green hydrogen and the goal of climate-friendly mobility, ” said Andreae.
“Especially against the background of the emerging economic crisis, it must be ensured that investments continue to be made in the expansion of renewable energies and that they can guarantee the energy supply of tomorrow,” she said.
Financing security and cost efficiency must be in harmony with further expansion and the burden on consumers must be reduced, Andreae added.
“We need competitive and innovative business models. In this way, the expansion of renewables can help drive the economy and the balance between economy and ecology can be maintained. This is of central importance for the entire economy. “