Climate researchers demand immediate action against the climate crisis!

Climate researchers demand immediate action against the climate crisis!

Researchers from all over Germany, including many prominent climate scientists, have made an urgent appeal to federal politicians. Coordinated by Scientists for Future at the University of Bayreuth, they call for a consistent and science-based climate policy. The scientists emphasize that the future federal government must implement the climate protection law reliably.

In their statement, the researchers point to the need for political communication to be made clearer and investments in renewable energy to be increased. They see the climate crisis and other environmental crises as the greatest threat to security, economy, prosperity, democracy, civilization and ultimately human life. They criticize the marginalization of climate issues in political discourse and warn against abrupt changes of course in climate protection that could endanger Germany as a business location.

Strong support from science

The appeal received broad support: over 13,700 scientists from various German universities and research institutions signed it. Particularly noteworthy is the high level of participation from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which is at the forefront with over 370 signatures. After the subscription period had expired, the appeal was handed over to representatives of the Bundestag factions of the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party.

These demands come at a time when Germany is heavily concerned with implementing its energy transition and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. According to current data from the Federal Environment Agency In 2024, 22.4% of German gross final energy consumption was already covered by renewable energies, which represents an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Progress and challenges of the energy transition

A look at the renewable energy sectors shows that a total of 517 billion kWh was provided from renewable energies in 2024. Of this, 55% came from electricity, 38% from heat and 6% from biofuels. Biomass remains the most important renewable energy source at 47%, followed by wind energy at 27% and solar energy at 16%. In the electricity sector, the share of renewable energy increased from 46.3% in 2022 to an impressive 54.4% in 2024.

However, there are also declines. Biofuels in transport fell from 36.6 billion kWh in 2023 to 32.7 billion kWh in 2024. Renewable energies in the transport sector only amounted to 42.0 billion kWh - a decrease of 6% compared to previous years. Nevertheless, renewables avoided a total of 256 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, with electricity generation making the largest contribution.

A promising goal remains: by 2030, 41% of gross final energy consumption should come from renewable energies. To achieve this ambitious goal, both clear political guidelines and substantial investments are essential.