On 23rd September 2026, the German cabinet officially approved a comprehensive roadmap targeting the complete phase-out of coal, oil, and gas by 2045. This legislative move reaffirms the commitment of Germany to a national energy strategy centered on electrification. The official plan was presented by a spokesperson for Germany’s Environment Ministry at the UN General Assembly in New York, positioning the nation alongside France and the Netherlands in adopting this international framework to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Energy Transition Targets and Global Context
The fossil fuel phase-out roadmap includes a formal review of the existing timeline for ending coal-fired power generation, specifically looking at whether the transition can be accelerated from 2038 to 2035. Currently, renewables account for approximately 55% of gross electricity consumption within the country, with government projections aiming for at least 80% by 2030.
Despite domestic shifts toward renewables, global data indicates that fossil fuels still constitute roughly 80% of the world’s total energy supply. Statistical breakdowns regarding contribution to energy generation and carbon dioxide emissions are as follows:
- Coal: Represents 27% of global energy supply but contributes 42% of energy-related CO2 emissions.
- Oil: Accounts for 30% of global supply and is responsible for 30% of energy-related emissions.
- Natural Gas: Comprises 23% of global supply while producing 21% of energy-related emissions.
Transport and Heating Infrastructure
In the transport sector, Germany is aligning with EU fleet emission standards, which anticipate that battery-electric vehicles will represent 100% of new passenger car registrations by 2035.
As of August 2026, there were 2.6 million battery-electric vehicles on the road, capturing 32.4% of new registrations for that month. The German Environment Agency projects this figure to grow to 7 million by 2030 and 17 million by 2035.
Heating Systems Transition
The 2045 fossil fuel phase-out plan designates heat pumps as the primary future heating system. Suppliers of oil, gas, and liquefied natural gas will face mandates to ensure all fuels utilized for building heat transition to climate-neutral alternatives by 2045. Meanwhile, the 2045 fossil fuel phase-out remains a topic of internal discussion, as German conservatives call for continued flexibility regarding combustion-engine vehicles and the use of alternative fuels.
