Environment
Where do the parties stand on energy and climate in 2025?
By
Team Ostrom
18.2.2025
5
Min.
Germany is at a turning point. The federal election on February 23, 2025, is approaching – bringing with it the question of which direction the country will take in energy policy. In recent years, there have been rising electricity prices, debates about nuclear power, and ambitious climate goals – but also concerns about affordability and energy security. Every major party has its own strategy to tackle these challenges – from expanding renewable energies to reforming the electricity market. But how do their plans differ?
To find out, we analyzed the official positions from the Wahl-O-Mat, focusing on questions 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 28, and 37:
- #2 Renewable Energies – The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state.
- #4 Speed Limit on Highways – A general speed limit should apply on all highways.
- #8 Energy-Intensive Companies – Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs.
- #12 Use of Nuclear Energy – Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation.
- #24 Abandoning Climate Goals – Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral.
- #28 Rail before Road – In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road.
- #37 Fossil Fuels – New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil).
Here are the results. Click on the image to see it in full.
All of the points mentioned above are taken directly from the Wahl-O-Mat and are quoted word for word. Our goal is to inform you as a voter as thoroughly as possible – especially on issues related to climate and energy, which are crucial for Germany's future. No matter what position you hold, making an informed decision is the first step toward a more sustainable energy policy. We hope you enjoyed this article!
CDU/CSU
| Question | CDU/CSU Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “We are bringing all capacities online that are climate-friendly and system-serving, starting with a targeted further expansion of renewable energies. We place particular emphasis on integrated and cross-border grid expansion as well as an efficient connection between the expansion of renewables, grids, and storage. To achieve this, we also want to attract more private capital.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “We see individual mobility as the embodiment of freedom and therefore do not pit different modes of transport against each other. We reject an anti-car stance, driving bans for city centers, the reallocation of parking spaces, and a general speed limit on German highways. Instead, we rely on innovative, modern traffic management. Speed limits already exist in hazardous areas to enhance road safety.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “CDU and CSU want to improve the framework conditions in Germany. To achieve this, we will not only relieve industrial companies of electricity costs but also craft and service businesses as well as households. In short: If we reduce network charges and electricity taxes for everyone in Germany, everyone benefits.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “With regard to climate goals and energy security, nuclear power plays a significant role. We focus on energy partnerships with neighboring countries, research into fourth and fifth-generation nuclear energy, small nuclear reactors, and fusion power plants. At the same time, we seek a professional assessment as soon as possible on whether resuming operations of the recently shut-down nuclear plants is still feasible, given their dismantling status.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “CDU and CSU are strongly committed to adhering to the Paris Climate Agreement. We firmly aim for climate neutrality by 2045. Global warming is a worldwide problem that can only be solved collectively. We strictly link this goal to maintaining our economic competitiveness and ensuring social viability. Only in this way can we secure public acceptance and economic growth opportunities.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “All modes of transport require appropriate expansion. Individual mobility and public transportation must be considered together and barrier-free. Bus, train, ship, airplane, car, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic complement each other in a meaningful way.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “We will repeal the heating law of the current government. People need freedom of choice. They also know best which heating system suits their property and budget. To decarbonize the building sector, we rely on CO2 pricing with social compensation, reliable subsidies, and technology-neutral solutions. This way, we also consider existing properties.” |
SPD
| Question | SPD Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “The consistent expansion and transition to renewable energies, along with the integration of storage, make energy supply secure and permanently affordable. We want to promote with caution: Less considered renewables, such as geothermal energy, still require targeted support. In the long term, renewable energies such as wind and solar power should be able to function without state subsidies.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “We want to introduce a speed limit of 130 km/h on federal highways. This will make highways significantly safer and more relaxed: stress, accidents, traffic jams, and noise will decrease. There will be fewer traffic deaths and serious injuries. The speed limit also makes a quick and effective contribution to climate protection. In all our neighboring countries, driving with a speed limit works well.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “We want to act quickly to secure jobs and strengthen the economy. This requires competitive electricity prices for industry and affordable prices for private households. Electricity costs have various components, which we specifically address with our proposal: We want to cap the costs for grid expansion that consumers must bear. The reduction in electricity tax for the manufacturing sector and agriculture should remain in place permanently.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “All German nuclear power plants have been shut down. They are now being dismantled. This process is irreversible. New nuclear power plants would be extremely expensive and do not fit into an energy supply system that relies on renewables. For the waste from past nuclear power use, safe final storage is needed. We will constructively support and accelerate the final storage search process without compromising safety.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “We are firmly committed to the climate goals for Germany and the EU. We must limit the rise in global average temperature to well below two degrees Celsius and, if possible, bring it in line with the 1.5-degree pathway. These goals are set at the European and international levels, and the Federal Constitutional Court reaffirmed them in 2021.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “SPD has ended years of neglect of the rail system. A reliable railway is the backbone of the transport transition. We have launched billions in investments for our rail network, which is now undergoing general renovation to make trains more punctual again. At the same time, our roads urgently need maintenance, particularly highway bridges.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “Germany must be climate neutral by 2045. All sectors, including buildings, transportation, and industry, must contribute to this. Today, 80 percent of heating and hot water is still generated using gas, oil, or coal. Since heating systems typically last over 20 years, the transition to sustainability must be set in motion early. The Building Energy Act (GEG) addresses this. Comprehensive funding ensures that no one is left behind.” |
Greens
| Question | Greens Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “Affordable electricity from renewable energies such as wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal energy, and environmentally friendly bioenergy secures our prosperity. We are staying on course with the record expansion pace achieved. In the future, we will continue to support decentralized producers of solar and wind energy, as well as storage and electrolysers, by reducing bureaucracy and ensuring planning security. This secures profitable business models, for example, for municipal utilities, energy cooperatives, and agricultural enterprises.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “Germany is the only country in the world that still allows unrestricted speeding on highways, which endangers human lives and the environment. A speed limit benefits road safety and climate protection. It also helps traffic flow more smoothly.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “Our goal is to keep Germany a strong industrial location that secures jobs and value creation. A secure, clean, and affordable energy supply is a key location factor. The expansion of renewables will lead to lower electricity prices. Until then, we support electricity price compensation for energy-intensive companies that compete in the global market.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “A return to nuclear power is neither necessary for achieving climate goals nor for energy security. New nuclear power plants are not a realistic option due to extremely long planning and construction times, high costs, risks, and the unresolved issue of nuclear waste disposal.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “The international community has agreed under the Paris Climate Agreement to contain the climate crisis, which is already causing increasing casualties. According to scientific advice, Europe must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2040. This requires decisive efforts and a significant contribution from Germany. We therefore remain committed to the legally established climate neutrality target for 2045 and its binding interim targets.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “Germany should become a railway nation where people can travel cheaply and reliably. Our goal for rail transport is the Deutschlandtakt, which connects cities and rural regions. The rail network, which we found in poor condition, will continue to be extensively modernized and expanded as needed. Roads and bridges have been neglected and need urgent renovation. With faster planning procedures, we will accelerate the rehabilitation of roads and bridges.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “The transition to climate-friendly heating has been neglected for years. With the Building Energy Act and subsidies covering up to 70 percent of the cost for climate-friendly heating systems, we have created the necessary planning security. We will continue to expand support in this transition. Heating with oil and gas is becoming increasingly expensive, and in the future, it will no longer be an acceptable option.” |
FDP
| Question | FDP Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “We want to strengthen renewable energies through market-based mechanisms. Since they already account for more than 60 percent of electricity production, EEG subsidies for new plants are no longer justified. Market-based remuneration ensures that photovoltaic and wind power plants are only built when there is sufficient grid and storage capacity. We reject legally mandated expansion targets for individual technologies and state-guaranteed purchase prices.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “We Free Democrats reject a general speed limit on highways. Even without a speed limit, German highways are among the safest in Europe. We trust in the individual responsibility of competent citizens. A fair coexistence of all road users is not achieved through bans but through balanced rules and mutual respect. A speed limit would not significantly reduce CO2 emissions—it is symbolic politics against free choice and cars.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “We Free Democrats want to initially reduce the electricity tax to the EU minimum level and will advocate for its abolition at the European level. Unlike an industrial electricity price, this does not create a competitive imbalance between medium-sized businesses and large industries. Additionally, we aim to comprehensively reform grid fees, which are a major driver of electricity costs. High energy costs in Germany pose a significant competitive disadvantage for the economy.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “We support a technology-neutral energy policy, which includes nuclear energy. We want to legally enable the reactivation of existing nuclear power plants and leave the decision to the operators. We aim to reform German nuclear law. New-generation nuclear power plants, such as Small Modular Reactors, should be legally viable for construction in Germany. For nuclear fusion, we want to establish an innovation-friendly regulatory framework outside of nuclear law.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “National special climate targets do not provide additional benefits for climate protection but burden private households and harm Germany's competitiveness. Therefore, we want to replace Germany’s climate neutrality goal for 2045 with the European goal of climate neutrality by 2050. This gives businesses, especially energy-intensive industries, more time to transition to climate-friendly technologies, strengthens the economy, secures jobs, and avoids costly subsidies.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “A modern and efficient infrastructure is key to growth and prosperity. Traffic forecasts indicate that traffic volume will continue to grow in the future. Therefore, we will continue to rely on all modes of transport, each with its specific strengths. All modes of transport require adequate funding, and investments must be prioritized where they are most urgently needed. We reject a fundamental prioritization of one mode of transport over another.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “We support the goal of climate neutrality. With the EU Emissions Trading System, we rely on a market-based instrument. Fossil fuels in heating systems therefore have no long-term future. However, a warm home with climate-friendly heating must be affordable for everyone. That’s why we focus on technological openness instead of bans—everyone should decide how they reduce CO2. To mitigate costs, we will introduce a climate dividend and reduce energy taxes.” |
Left Party (Die Linke)
| Question | Left Party Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “The majority of our future energy supply still needs to be built. The public sector should be heavily involved in the development of renewable energies, also to bring large portions of energy production back into public hands. We want to use this opportunity to (re)establish wind turbine and solar panel manufacturing in Germany.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “The Left Party supports the introduction of a general speed limit on highways. Anyone who has driven in other countries knows: it makes driving more relaxed for everyone. A speed limit can save significant amounts of CO2. It also leads to far fewer deaths and injuries from traffic accidents.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “We demand that energy-intensive industries receive support in their transition through low electricity prices. We want to finance this through the Climate and Transformation Fund, which we use to promote the climate-friendly transformation of the economy.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “Renewable energies are now much cheaper than nuclear power. Nuclear power is an uncontrollable risk technology that, in the event of an accident, is deadly and poses massive dangers to people and the environment for generations. The issue of nuclear waste disposal remains unresolved to this day. The Left Party advocates for an energy transition based on renewable energy without nuclear power.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “The impacts of global warming are already being felt in Germany: flood disasters, more droughts, and water shortages. The current government has severely weakened climate protection in Germany due to a lack of social compensation and support for measures such as CO2 pricing or the heating law. The Left Party wants to protect the climate in a socially just way: this will lead to greater prosperity, not less. We owe this to our children.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “The Left Party wants to shift more passengers and freight from roads to rail. This requires more trains running on well-maintained routes. We therefore advocate for the urgently needed renovation of bridges, railway infrastructure, and the expansion of the rail network.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “For homeowners with low and middle incomes, no additional costs should arise during the transition process. Reasonable transition periods are needed. We aim to reform the heating law accordingly.” |
AfD
| Question | AfD Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “Volatile energies destabilize the power grid, jeopardize energy security, generate high grid costs, and severely limit our competitiveness. They also destroy nature, particularly due to land use. The AfD aims to restore the three pillars of energy supply: security, economic viability, and environmental protection. In the future, facilities generating ‘renewable energy’ must prove both environmental compatibility and economic benefits. The Renewable Energy Act (EEG) will be abolished.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | “There are already too many politically motivated influences on traffic regulation. Citizens are responsible individuals and capable of adjusting their speed according to the traffic regulations (StVo) where necessary.” |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “We want to shape our future energy mix free from ideology and open to technology, tapping into cost-effective energy sources. This includes reactivating nuclear power plants and utilizing low-cost pipeline gas. In this way, we aim to restore internationally competitive energy and electricity prices. Additionally, we will significantly reduce energy taxes and completely eliminate the CO2 levy. As a result, there will be no need for government subsidies for companies' electricity costs.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “Nuclear energy is an affordable, safe, clean, and demand-driven form of energy with minimal land use. Both coal and nuclear power must be expanded. This expansion should incorporate both proven technologies and new developments. Existing nuclear power plants will be put back into operation as quickly as possible. The necessary technologies and expertise must once again be established within German companies, authorities, institutions, and universities.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “Nuclear energy is an affordable, safe, clean, and demand-driven form of energy with minimal land use. Both coal and nuclear power must be expanded. This expansion should incorporate both proven technologies and new developments. Existing nuclear power plants will be put back into operation as quickly as possible. The necessary technologies and expertise must once again be established within German companies, authorities, institutions, and universities.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | “Transport infrastructure has been neglected across all sectors for decades and must be expanded on a large scale.” |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | “The demand for technologies and their development is best regulated by the free market, driven by homeowners and suppliers, based on application and resource availability. The free market reacts much faster than any legislator ever could. We need fewer regulations in the housing sector, not more—only then will construction costs decrease, and the number of new homes increase. Therefore, we also aim to abolish the Building Energy Act (GEG) without replacement.” |
BSW
| Question | BSW Response |
|---|---|
| #2 Renewable Energies The expansion of renewable energies should continue to be financially supported by the state. | “The expansion of renewable energies makes sense, but we reject the EEG surcharge because it increases electricity costs for consumers.” |
| #4 Speed Limit on Highways A general speed limit should apply to all highways. | The party has not provided a justification for this position. |
| #8 Energy-Intensive Companies Energy-intensive companies should receive financial compensation from the state for their electricity costs. | “We want to lower electricity prices for consumers and industry through reasonable energy policies. However, we reject blanket and permanent subsidies for energy-intensive companies at the expense of taxpayers.” |
| #12 Use of Nuclear Energy Germany should once again use nuclear energy for electricity generation. | “The decommissioned power plants cannot be reactivated. The effort would be too great, too expensive, and there is a lack of necessary personnel. The construction of new nuclear reactors is also costly, economically unviable, and takes many years. Additionally, the issue of nuclear waste disposal remains unresolved. Therefore, a return to nuclear power is neither possible nor sensible. However, research and development of new nuclear technology should be promoted.” |
| #24 Abandoning Climate Goals Germany should abandon its goal of becoming climate neutral. | “Achieving climate neutrality is a worthwhile goal. However, it cannot be reached quickly. Therefore, we call for a shift away from the unrealistic expectation of achieving full climate neutrality in a short time. This expectation leads to a policy where only technologies based on 100 percent renewable energy are considered viable. As a result, efficient hybrid technologies are being excluded in favor of extremely expensive and often unrealistic projects. We reject this approach.” |
| #28 Rail Before Road In expanding transport infrastructure, rail should take priority over road. | The party has not provided a justification for this position. |
| #37 Fossil Fuels New heating systems should continue to be allowed to run entirely on fossil fuels (e.g., gas or oil). | The party has not provided a justification for this position. |
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