Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) also spoke about the heating law, which caused a lot of discussion last year, at a citizens’ dialogue on the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law in Berlin. He admitted that the law went too far.
In his speech on the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law, Economics Minister Robert Habeck (54, Greens) caused astonishment with his open self-criticism. The politician admitted that he had overstepped the mark with the heating law measures. “I went too far,” Habeck confessed during a public discussion, as “Politico” reporter Hans von der Burchard reported on “X”. The Vice Chancellor continued: “The debate about the Building Energy Act, i.e. how we will heat in the future, was honestly a test of how far society is prepared to take climate protection – if it becomes concrete.”
The law, officially known as the “Building Energy Act,” was originally intended to mark a decisive step towards climate protection. However, the law, which came into force on January 1, 2024, sparked heated controversy – both within the traffic light government and with the opposition. The focus of the criticism was the financial burden on tenants and owners who had to pay for expensive modifications to their heating systems.
The law had to be adjusted several times before it came into force and was ultimately passed in a weaker form. “The heating law was a drop too much legislation,” Habeck had previously admitted. Now, in direct communication with citizens, he once again took a position on the debate surrounding the future of heating systems.
Since the beginning of 2024, the law has stipulated that newly installed heating systems must use at least 65 percent renewable energy. This poses a challenge for traditional oil and gas heating systems, which typically cannot meet these requirements. This regulation initially applies to new buildings and from 2026 or 2028 also to existing buildings.
The dispute over the heating law reflects the complex challenge of reconciling environmental policy goals with the interests and opportunities of citizens. Habeck’s admission shows that politics also has its limits and compromises are essential to create broad social acceptance for sustainable changes.