The German Bundestag (the lower house of parliament) has approved a major climate protection package. According to environment minister Svenja Schulze, the package plugs a major gap in Germany’s legislative framework. Through the package, the Bundestag compels ministries to take additional steps to cut emissions if Germany falls behind on its climate goals. The package also includes a carbon pricing mechanism, bigger incentives for buying electric cars, higher road tolls for trucks from 2023, surcharges on domestic flights and financial support for the rail operator Deutsche Bahn.
