Germany sets out plan to phase out fossil fuels by 2045
publishers 5articles 5first reported 23 Sep, 16:37 UTCdeveloping since 23 Sep · 4 editions
Germany has published a roadmap to phase out coal, oil and gas by 2045, making an explicit commitment to move away from fossil fuels rather than relying only on its previous carbon-neutrality target.
The plan calls for renewable sources to rise from 55% to 80% of electricity generation by 2030. It includes an additional 12 gigawatts of onshore wind capacity and a target of 215 gigawatts of solar capacity by that year. Germany also reaffirmed its goal of ending coal use by 2038, with a possible earlier exit in 2035, and pledged to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
Environment Minister Carsten Schneider told the UN General Assembly that the roadmap combines energy independence, affordability and climate protection. He said fossil fuels accounted for 65% of German energy consumption in 2024, while the country imported 98% of its oil and 95% of its natural gas.
The strategy emphasizes electrifying transport and heating, including battery-electric cars and heat pumps. Environmental groups welcomed the explicit phaseout target but questioned its consistency with government support for new gas-fired power plants and slower renewable-energy expansion. Greenpeace’s Mira Jäger said the announcement contrasted with policies subsidizing oil and slowing the transition in heating, while WWF adviser Fentje Jacobsen said it largely repackaged existing measures without additional ambition.
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