Germany has ramped up its measures on climate protection by adopting a €54 billion programme to cut greenhouse gas emissions after criticism that it was failing to tackle global warming. Angela Merkel presented proposals such as a CO2 pricing system for the transport and heating sectors that will raise the price of petrol and diesel, greater incentives for buying electric cars, billions of euros for the railways and higher road tolls for lorries. Aviation tax will rise while VAT on rail tickets will be cut. There will be tax incentives and subsidies to promote the construction of energy-efficient housing, while one million electric car charging points are to be installed by 2030 — up from only 16,600 at present. The programme aims to ensure
Angela Merkel yesterday presented new proposals such as a CO2 pricing system for the transport and heating sectors that will raise the price of petrol and diesel, plus greater incentives for buying electric cars and billions of euros for the railways and higher road tolls for lorries.There will also be tax incentives and subsidies to promote the construction of energy-efficient housing, while one million electric car charging points are to be installed by 2030 — up from only 16,600 at present.