Burglary endangers climate protection
Associations are sounding the alarm about heat pump sales
07/19/2023, 8:01 p.m
The hic-hack about the Building Energy Act is not only causing trouble in the Bundestag, it is also clearly damaging to climate policy. An open letter from numerous associations complained about a significant decline in the purchase of heat pumps. Building renovations are also less in demand.
consumer and environmental organizations in an open letter warned the federal government and the Bundestag about the consequences of the controversial heating law. “We are deeply concerned about the current slump in the building renovation rate,” says the letter from 15 industry, consumer and climate protection associations. Among them are the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), the German Energy Efficiency Business Initiative (DENEFF), the Windows and Façade Association and the Federal Association of Consumers.
They referred to figures from the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control: According to this, the number of applications for federal funding for efficient buildings halved in April, May and June compared to the same month of the previous year. The number of applications dropped, especially for biomass and heat pumps. In addition to falling subsidy applications, there was also a massive slump in the renovation of buildings and the sale of heat pumps. According to the 15 signatories of the letter to politicians, other industry associations are currently in the process of preparing their balance sheets.
The lack of demand threatened the layoffs of skilled workers in this area. In addition to the jobs, the achievement of climate goals and social peace are also at risk. High heating bills hit low-income households in poorly modernized homes particularly hard.
State to renovate public buildings
The 15 associations therefore called for urgent countermeasures on the part of politicians. Parliament and government would have to present a climate stimulus package for the building sector this summer. In addition, there is a need for a renovation program for public buildings.
The government’s plans for a new heating law had recently caused heated debates because homeowners feared major financial burdens when switching to climate-friendly heating systems. At the beginning of the month, the Federal Constitutional Court stopped the planned passage of the controversial law in the Bundestag in an urgent procedure. SPD, Greens and FDP want to pass the law as one of their central projects for more climate protection at the beginning of September.