Climate Governance and Federalism in Germany

Germany is often viewed as a climate and environmental leader, and its model of cooperative federalism meant that public bodies at different levels of government were well-placed to coordinate an early transition away from nuclear power and towards renewable energy. However, although some German states (Länder) have highly developed green economy sectors, other areas (particularly in the eastern part of the country) are still heavily reliant on fossil fuel extraction and combustion. Given that the federal system provides different interests with multiple venues to push their cause and veto more ambitious initiatives, this has contributed to divergence in climate policy at the subnational level, largely reflecting the political and socio-economic contexts of the different Länder. Individual states are also restricted by the fact that policies in key sectors (such as emissions trading, automobile standards and transport infrastructure) are made at the EU or federal levels. Given that progress at these higher tiers of governance is often very slow in the absence of consensus, the differences between various Länder could mean that climate policymaking within the German system becomes less cooperative, and the country fails to achieve its mitigation and adaptation objectives.