Germany Plans to Roll Back Energy-Efficiency Regulations (1)

Germany’s Economy Ministry proposed a rollback of energy-efficiency mandates for companies, a further sign that climate commitments across Europe are taking a back seat to economic growth.

The ministry also suggested scrapping targets to reduce energy demand, according to draft legislation seen by Bloomberg. The proposed changes are expected to cut costs for companies across the economy by about €834 million ($982 million) a year.

The cost of the green transition is a highly sensitive issue for governments in the face of rising populism, high energy prices and faltering growth. Industry groups have warned that without climate policies better aligned ...