From BZ/dpa
The scientist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Fritz Reusswig, does not consider a climate-neutral Berlin to be feasible by 2030.
Nevertheless, he supports the referendum and considers it to be politically sensible. Otherwise, a possible new black-red Senate in Berlin would be more of a “brake coalition” in terms of climate policy, Reusswig told the German Press Agency. On Sunday, Berliners will vote on whether the capital should become climate-neutral by 2030 and not by 2045, as previously planned.
“Climate neutrality – until when will that actually be possible? My thesis is that we won’t make it by 2030. I think 2045 is realistic.” By 2030, a 65 to 75 percent reduction in emissions might be possible.
With the necessary renovation of the building, the question of cost distribution and the burden on tenants is completely unresolved, said Reusswig, who has worked on studies on Berlin’s climate neutrality. The state of Berlin cannot step in to intercept an increase in rent including heating as a result of the building renovations. According to a spokesman for the Association of Berlin-Brandenburg Housing Companies, more than 90 billion euros are needed to make all buildings energy-efficient and climate-neutral by 2045.
In addition, there will still be electricity imports until 2030 and a climate-neutral power supply will also not be feasible for Berlin, said the sociologist. A faster implementation of the planned ban on new cars with combustion engines in Berlin is also unrealistic. So far, the aim in the EU has been that from 2035 only zero-emission new cars may be registered.
“I’m still in favor of the referendum because it makes political sense,” said Reusswig. It could have the effect that politicians give more thought and can create socially acceptable solutions for the implementation of climate protection goals. So far, these have been completely missing in the application of the “Berlin referendum” initiative.
In the event of a new government made up of CDU and SPD in Berlin, Reusswig expects only slow progress in climate protection. “This black and red Senate will not pay so much attention to the climate issue.” He does not see that the CDU politician Wegner, who wants to become governing mayor, will push it like a green party. The scientist said it would even be difficult to achieve climate neutrality by 2045.