Germany to phase out fossil fuels by 2045

September 23, 2026

Germany has formally committed to moving away from fossil fuels by 2045, marking a significant step in the climate strategy of Europe’s largest economy.

In a new government roadmap, Germany explicitly identifies the transition away from coal, oil and gas as a national policy objective. While the country had previously pledged to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, the new strategy provides a clearer commitment to reducing and ultimately ending dependence on fossil energy.

Renewable energy expansion at the heart of the plan

A major expansion of renewable power will be essential to Germany’s transition.

The government aims to increase the share of renewable energy in electricity consumption from around 55% to 80% by 2030. Plans include adding approximately 12 GW of onshore wind capacity and expanding installed solar power capacity to 215 GW by the end of the decade.

Germany has also reaffirmed its existing timetable for abandoning coal. Under current legislation, coal-fired power generation is scheduled to end no later than 2038, although an earlier phaseout around 2035 remains possible.

Together, these measures are intended to accelerate Germany’s transition toward an electricity system increasingly dominated by wind, solar and other low-carbon technologies.

Germany targets a 30% reduction in methane

The roadmap also addresses methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas.

Germany plans to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030, in line with the Global Methane Pledge launched in 2021. Cutting methane emissions is considered an important near-term climate measure because the gas has a much stronger warming effect than carbon dioxide over shorter periods.

Climate groups welcome commitment but raise concerns

Climate campaigners have described the explicit fossil fuel phaseout target as an important development, while warning that other elements of Germany’s energy policy could conflict with that ambition.

Andreas Sieber, head of global political strategy at climate organization 350.org, called the roadmap a notable policy shift because it formally establishes moving away from fossil fuels as a government objective.

However, he criticized efforts by Germany’s economic and energy ministry to expand the role of natural gas. Sieber argued that continued dependence on fossil fuels leaves households and companies vulnerable to volatile energy prices and geopolitical instability.

Former German climate envoy Jennifer Morgan also welcomed the direction of the strategy while emphasizing that implementation will determine its effectiveness.

Morgan called for faster electrification of transportation and heating, arguing that replacing coal, oil and gas with renewable electricity could strengthen Germany’s energy independence while reducing consumers’ exposure to fossil fuel price fluctuations.

She stressed that publishing a roadmap represents only the beginning and that Germany will need to accelerate investment in clean technologies and infrastructure.

Heating transition remains politically contentious

One of Germany’s most controversial climate policy areas continues to be residential heating.

Efforts to replace fossil-fuel boilers with technologies such as heat pumps have faced substantial political opposition since Germany adopted heating legislation in 2023. The original rules sought to sharply restrict the installation of new oil- and gas-based heating systems.

The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) made opposition to the measures a prominent political issue, and the requirements were subsequently weakened.

Despite the political dispute, heat pumps have continued to gain market share and now account for roughly half of newly installed residential heating systems in Germany.

Germany joins France and the Netherlands

Germany is now the third major developed economy, following France and the Netherlands, to publish a roadmap outlining a transition away from fossil fuels.

The move follows an international conference held in Colombia in April, where participating countries committed to developing plans for eventually ending fossil fuel dependence.

The roadmap also arrives amid renewed international discussions about whether governments are moving quickly enough to address climate change.

At the UN General Assembly in New York, world leaders debated ways to strengthen global climate action. UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who has consistently advocated faster emissions reductions during his decade in office, is due to leave his position in December.

His approaching departure has prompted debate among climate advocates about whether the next UN secretary-general will maintain the same level of focus on climate policy.

Attention turns to the UK and G20

The United Kingdom has yet to publish its own formal roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels.

The issue could gain greater international attention when the UK assumes the presidency of the G20 in December. Climate policy, energy security and the economic impact of high oil and gas prices are expected to feature prominently in discussions among the world's major economies.

Germany’s newly published strategy establishes a clearer long-term direction for its energy transition. Reaching the 2045 goal, however, will depend on how rapidly the country expands renewable electricity, modernizes infrastructure, electrifies heating and transportation, and reduces its remaining reliance on coal, oil and natural gas.