​Germany to Ban Oil and Gas Heating for New Houses From Next Year

Germany will ban gas and oil heating in new or renovated buildings from next year and likely increase subsidies to support their phaseout as Europe’s largest economy steps up efforts to meet climate targets.

A new law is expected soon that will require new buildings to get two-thirds of their heating from renewable sources, Economy Minister Robert Habeck said Wednesday. Germany’s building sector makes up a third of the country’s overall carbon emissions, and has repeatedly missed its reduction goal.

One area of support will be for heat pumps — which use electricity to draw in warmth from outside for home heating and hot water — so that people on lower incomes will still be able to afford the technology, Habeck said. Germany currently offers subsidies of as much as 45% of the price of a pump if it replaces an old oil boiler.