To achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2045, investments of around EUR 6 trillion are required. In the period 2025–2045, this corresponds to an average of approximately EUR 290 billion per year – more than twice the amount invested in climate-friendly projects in Germany from 2018–2023. Considering only the additional investments compared with a conventional (fossil) reference technology, the figure shrinks to EUR 65 billion per year that must be additionally mobilised. This is less than 2% of GDP. Similar expansions have already taken place in the past. The largest needs are in transport, followed by the energy sector, buildings and industry. Approximately 12% of the investments fall to the public sector, while the remainder concerns private capital. Climate protection investments are an important lever to reduce dependence on fossil imports and to align the economy with green growth markets.

Germany on the pathway to climate neutrality – around EUR 6 trillion need to be invested (PDF, 298 KB, accessible)

The original study can be found here: Investitionen für Klimaschutz(PDF, 3 MB, accessible) (in German)

Further publications about the topic of climate neutrality