The Local Germany

Climate activists storm lignite mine in Germany

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 14:34:01 +0200

Several hundred climate activists evaded police to enter an open-cast mine run by energy giant RWE in western Germany Saturday, a day after tens of thousands campaigned against the use of coal.

Call to prevent power cuts in poorest German households

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:30:07 +0200

More than 340,000 electricity customers across Germany have their power cut off each year for failing to pay bills. A new proposal from one political party aims to change this.

The winners and losers - 7 things you need to know about the Bavaria election

Mon, 15 Oct 2018 15:00:00 +0200

The historic Bavarian election is causing ripples throughout German politics. From explaining who the Free Voters are to finding out if the AfD actually did well, we breakdown the important points.

The Bavarian village forging a clean energy revolution

Wed, 13 Jul 2016 11:05:19 +0200

A conservative village in rural Bavaria is at the cutting edge of Germany's green energy push, and locals are sharing in the profits.

German lifestyle is 'burden' on environment

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 17:13:24 +0100

As world leaders continue to discuss solutions for climate change at the COP 21 conference, a new report reveals that Germans habits are far from eco-friendly.

Berlin props up coal with €3 billion in subsidies

Fri, 13 Nov 2015 12:00:32 +0100

A new report reveals that Germany is subsidizing coal with more than €3 billion in public funds a year, even given the country's commitment to cutting carbon emissions.

Climate change to raise price of German beer

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 13:32:55 +0200

Beer is often cheaper than water in Germany, but a new study says climate change may threaten the low prices of the country’s beloved brewed beverage.

Half a million ants march for rainforest protection

Wed, 19 Aug 2015 11:30:06 +0200

Half a million ants were enlisted at a German zoo on Tuesday by ecologists from the conservation group WWF to call for the protection of the Amazon rainforest, ahead of a trip by Chancellor Angela Merkel to Brazil.

Essen to be 2017 'Green Capital' of Europe

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 17:54:05 +0200

The German city of Essen has been named the European Green Capital for 2017 at a ceremony on Thursday in the current capital Bristol in the UK.

Germany in the dock over climate action

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 12:07:00 +0100

Climate NGOs reserved special criticism for Germany in an annual report on countries' action against climate change as a UN summit gets underway in Peru.

Study: Rent prices jumped after cap law

Thu, 13 Nov 2014 09:46:00 +0100

Rent caps will be introduced in German cities in the first half of 2015, but their arrival is having the opposite effect: A study has found that rents have been going up at an increased rate since the legislation was announced.

Village banks on wind, sun and pig manure

Sun, 26 Oct 2014 10:41:00 +0100

If Germany has taken a pioneering though risky role in shifting to renewable energy, then the tiny village of Feldheim - population 150 - is at its vanguard.

Green light for renewable energy switch reform

Tue, 08 Apr 2014 16:36:00 +0200

The German government approved on Tuesday a sweeping reform of a law on its vaunted "energy transformation" to reduce subsidies for renewables and stem rising electricity prices.

Greens call for 'Veggie Day' in canteens

Mon, 05 Aug 2013 14:22:00 +0200

Germany's Green party said on Monday it wants to introduce a weekly "veggie-only" day in canteens across the country. But the plan is likely to provoke a meaty discussion among Germany's many sausage devotees.

Minister 'puts brakes' on German energy switch

Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:53:00 +0200

German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier came under fire Friday for controversial plans to put limits on Germany’s rapid extension of renewable energy sources - a key part of the country’s strategy to phase out nuclear energy by 2020.

Household electric bills 'billions too much'

Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:41:00 +0200

Households in Germany pay around €3 billion too much for their electricity each year, according to a market analysis which says industry is benefitting from state aid for the switch to renewables – but domestic customers are being left out.

Going the distance: students race towards fuel-efficient cars

Fri, 14 May 2010 13:03:00 +0200

Self-proclaimed car nerds from around Europe recently gathered at a Brandenburg race track. But instead of burning rubber, the high school and university students were breaking long-distance fuel-efficiency records. Kristen Allen reports for The Local's automotive series Abgefahren.

German solar-panel manufacturers face financial ruin

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:39:00 +0200

The German solar industry, once at the forefront in its field, has been hit hard by the bad economy and increasing competition from Asia, the Financial Times Deutschland reported Monday.