Environment Minister Lemke advocates speed limits on motorways

The transport sector is one of those that did not meet the CO₂ savings targets last year. Actually, Federal Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) should now present a plan on how he intends to meet the goals in his department in the future. However, after a tough struggle, the federal government has decided that in future an overall calculation for all sectors will be possible for compliance with the climate protection goals. This is to be recorded in a new climate protection law, which has not yet been passed. Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) uses the opportunity to campaign again for a general speed limit on German autobahns.

Speed ​​limit: “Significant contribution to climate protection”

The federal government has set ambitious goals for the expansion of electromobility. “But that alone will not be enough to achieve the climate goals in transport. And if a climate protection measure cannot be implemented quickly enough, then that inevitably increases the pressure on others. The climate crisis will not allow itself to be negotiated,” argues Lemke to the dpa. A speed limit could make a “significant contribution to climate protection,” says Lemke. This is the position of the Federal Environment Ministry and “a lot of experts. Incidentally, my predecessors from the SPD have already taken this point of view. But for well-known reasons, it is not part of the coalition agreement.” Above all, the coalition partner FDP rejects a general speed limit on German autobahns.

Responsibility remains in the department

Lemke emphasized that the individual sectors remain responsible for climate protection. Transport must also achieve the climate protection goals, just like all other sectors. “The obligation for transport, the building sector and all other sectors to actually achieve the legal climate protection goals remains and must be implemented.” According to the decision paper of the coalition committee, the federal government should take remedial action if a sector does not achieve the savings targets. This is to happen “on the basis of the proposals” of the ministries primarily responsible if it becomes apparent in two consecutive years that the climate target for 2030 will not be achieved in the future.

(mfz)