Baden's Greens rely on hydrogen: New climate protection offensive launched!

Baden's Greens rely on hydrogen: New climate protection offensive launched!

A lot is happening in Baden-Württemberg in the name of climate protection. In view of the alarming forecasts that the already ambitious climate goals in the state are unlikely to be achieved, Environment Minister Thekla Walker and Transport Minister Winfried Hermann (both Greens) have initiated additional measures. State government experts have been pointing out this problem since the summer of 2024. According to a current report, the goal of a 65 percent CO2 reduction by 2030 may seem more than utopian. Instead, a decline of just 53 percent is expected by the end of the year, which is a huge problem, especially in the transport sector, but also in the energy industry and agriculture, as tagesschau.de reports.

In order to avert the threat of missing the target, we are now going on the offensive. The Ministry of the Environment is increasingly focusing on the construction of electrolyzers to produce hydrogen and is making a whopping 100 million euros available for this purpose. This technology could play a central role in the energy transition as “green hydrogen” and at the same time provide impetus for new jobs in the region. Applications are submitted via the electronic system “pt-outline”, and two calls for funding will be carried out in both 2025 and 2026, with the first application having to be submitted by May 15, 2025, as the ministry um.baden-wuerttemberg.de informs.

More money for municipalities

The municipalities in Baden-Württemberg can now look forward to more money. These are urgently needed to support locally implemented climate protection measures and necessary adaptations to climate change. The expansion of the charging infrastructure for electric trucks and the purchase of electric buses are also being specifically funded. This is closely related to the Mobility Act passed in spring 2025, which regulates the financing of local public transport by municipalities and thus sets an important course for climate-friendly mobility.

Despite the measures taken, there are disagreements between the Greens and the CDU regarding the assessment of the deviation from the target. Environment Minister Walker expressed her regret about the lack of agreement, but she will not let herself be stopped and remains on the ball despite the challenges. Transport Minister Hermann urges all members of the state government to work together for climate protection.

The challenges are diverse, but those responsible in Baden-Württemberg are showing initiative. Perhaps this commitment will be the key to a better ecological future. The time to act is running out, and for everyone involved: Anyone who doesn't take action now will have to bear the consequences tomorrow.