10/15/2025

Experts warn of setbacks in climate action – clear criticism of state policy

At its press conference in October 2025, the Climate Expert Council of Baden-Württemberg once again criticised the state government's climate policy from 2024. In a joint appeal, the members, including ifeu Managing Director Prof. Dr. Pehnt, urgently warned that important measures for achieving climate targets are often being massively neglected in favour of political debates and agendas at state and federal level nationwide, across Europe and worldwide, and that as a result, setbacks are even being observed.

At 10.56 °C, 2024 was the third warmest year since 1881 in Baden-Württemberg. Only 2022 and 2023 were slightly warmer. At 2.7 °C since 1881, the temperature increase in the state due to climate change is almost twice as high as the global average (1.3 °C).

The Climate Expert Council therefore makes it clear that, in the coming legislative period, state policy must ensure the preservation of Baden-Württemberg as an industrial location, maintain prosperity in the state and strengthen social cohesion through stringent climate protection – regardless of who is in government.

Measures must be consistently implemented, rolled out across the board, optimised and further developed. Clear framework conditions such as the State Mobility Act or the binding designation of priority areas for wind energy on 1.8% of the state's territory by 30 September 2025, as enshrined in the Climate Act of Baden-Württemberg, are important steps. They create the planning and investment security that enables the economy, administration and private households to embark on the path to greenhouse gas neutrality. In its report, the Climate Expert Council proposes various measures, such as a €100 million action programme for green heating infrastructures and social neighbourhood renovations, the establishment of green lead markets through the introduction of binding, gradually increasing quotas for greenhouse gas-neutral products such as steel or cement in public procurement, consistent carbon management for industry and the introduction of social leasing options to enable access to electric mobility for people on lower incomes.

To the full statement