PARTEIATLAS

An independent field guide to Germany’s political parties

Federal politics2025 election edition

Issue deep dive

Climate & energy

The main dividing lines concern the pace of decarbonisation, the role of regulation and carbon pricing, energy affordability, and whether nuclear and fossil fuels should remain options.

Where the parties stand

Compare a smaller selection →

CDU

Christian Democratic Union · centre-right · Christian-democratic / conservative / market-oriented

Party profile

Climate targets via markets/technology; renewables + nuclear option; cheaper power.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6]

Related manifesto details

  • Energy & climate: cheaper electricity, renewables and grids, emissions trading and “technology openness”; repeal/replace the previous heating-law approach and keep nuclear technology as an option.

CSU

Christian Social Union in Bavaria · centre-right / conservative · Bavaria-only sister party of CDU

Party profile

Similar; especially sceptical of bans and mandates.

Manifesto and profile sources: [6][41]

SPD

Social Democratic Party · centre-left · social democratic

Party profile

Industrial decarbonisation with subsidies/investment, lower network costs, EV support.

Manifesto and profile sources: [10]

Greens

Bündnis 90/Die Grünen · centre-left / progressive · green politics

Party profile

Core mission. faster renewables/electrification; climate-neutral power by 2035.

Manifesto and profile sources: [13]

Related manifesto details

  • Climate: accelerate renewables and electrification; 100% climate-neutral electricity by 2035; social compensation such as climate money.

AfD

Alternative für Deutschland · right-populist / nationalist; significant far-right currents

Party profile

Reject current climate consensus; abolish CO₂ levies; fossil + nuclear expansion.

Manifesto and profile sources: [16]

Related manifesto details

  • Climate & energy: rejects Germany's current decarbonisation path, abolish CO₂ levies, return to nuclear power, retain/revive fossil generation and resist wind expansion.

Die Linke

The Left · left / democratic-socialist

Party profile

Fast state-led transition; make high emitters/wealthy pay; social protection.

Manifesto and profile sources: [21]

Related manifesto details

  • Climate: faster, regulation-led transition with the cost concentrated on high emitters and the wealthy rather than low-income households.

FDP

Free Democratic Party · liberal / market-liberal

Party profile

Market/technology-neutral approach; hydrogen, e-fuels, renewables; fewer bans.

Manifesto and profile sources: [24]

Related manifesto details

  • Climate: technology-neutral decarbonisation using markets, renewables, hydrogen and synthetic fuels rather than detailed bans.

BSW

Bündnis Sahra Wagenknecht – Vernunft und Gerechtigkeit · economically left + socio-culturally conservative

Party profile

Affordability/industry first; sceptical of rapid green transition, wants cheaper fossil energy.

Manifesto and profile sources: [27]

Related manifesto details

  • Climate & energy: climate policy subordinate to affordability/industrial competitiveness; opposes several current transition measures and favours access to cheap fossil imports, including Russian energy.

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