(de-news.net) – The CDU’s economic and social wings have substantially revised a draft motion on climate policy following internal party criticism, removing passages that had proposed weakening greenhouse gas reduction targets and revising the definition of climate neutrality. The initial proposal, advanced jointly by the Christian Democratic Employees’ Association and the SME-oriented Mittelstandsunion, had framed these adjustments primarily as a means of safeguarding economic competitiveness under changing conditions. As objections emerged within the party, the draft was reworked, and the disputed elements were excised. In its revised form, the motion places greater emphasis on the broader context of significant economic strain linked to the current geopolitical situation and calls for a more far-reaching strategic debate, while clearly asserting that climate protection, economic performance, and social balance are to be understood as mutually reinforcing rather than conflicting objectives.

As a result of these changes, the CDU will not put to a vote at its February party convention any proposal to dilute the existing definition of climate neutrality. Instead, according to media accounts, the party leadership has endorsed a motion that explicitly reaffirms the central importance of climate protection and underscores the need to integrate environmental objectives with Germany’s competitiveness as a business location. The revision was prompted by an earlier proposal that would have reinterpreted climate neutrality as a 90 percent reduction in emissions by 2050, in contrast to current legislation mandating full climate neutrality by 2045. This approach was ultimately abandoned in the face of strong internal resistance. The motion now slated for a vote on February 20 in Stuttgart characterizes climate change and biodiversity loss as existential challenges, argues that effective climate action depends on coordinated global efforts grounded in the Paris Agreement, and reiterates that social justice, economic strength, and environmental goals should be pursued in parallel rather than treated as opposing priorities.