The automotive and mechanical engineering industries have criticized the German government's amended climate protection law as a threat to Germany as a production location. "It won't help the global climate if we destroy the innovative industry in Germany and production moves to regions where much more carbon dioxide is emitted for the same result," said Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), to the 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung'. "If the industry says goodbye to Germany, this will not take_{CO2 reduction} one step further worldwide." She was very irritated by "the haste of the German government and the lack of impact assessment with its climate package", criticized Müller.

Karl Haeusgen, President of the VDMA.

© VDMA

The President of the mechanical engineering association VDMA, Karl Haeusgen, emphasized in the double interview: "If a plant of German or European provenance is put into operation somewhere, then you can assume that it is more energy-efficient than a competing product from any other region." It is therefore regrettable if the enormous contribution that industry makes to climate protection is not recognized. Employees in the mechanical engineering sector have a "fist in their pocket". When these companies are portrayed as "evil climate sinners", it fuels a defensive attitude.

Müller also criticized climate activists. "A youth movement that pursues global goals should also take note of the reality on this globe." Germany could only convince the rest of the world of the need for more climate protection "if we ourselves do not fall down in the process".

On Wednesday, the Federal Cabinet launched an amended Climate Protection Act with more ambitious emissions targets. Among other things, it stipulates that Germany should become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045 - in other words, only emit as many greenhouse gases as can be absorbed again. Individual sectors of the economy, including transport and energy, will have to cut emissions more than previously planned in the coming years.