Plusminus
Combustion engine phase-out - serious consequences for Germany as a business location Germany's automotive industry is Germany's most important industrial sector with a turnover of 400 billion euros. According to a survey by the Institute of the German Economy (IW), around 3.3 million jobs are directly or indirectly linked to it. In some structurally weak regions, the automotive industry is the backbone of the economy and the sole employer. The medium-term phase-out of internal combustion engines puts these locations at massive risk. This is because many parts that are manufactured for internal combustion engines are not necessary for electric cars. Numerous jobs will be lost. The industry is in turmoil. PLUSMINUS investigates the effects of the impending end of the combustion engine, talks to industry giants, but also to small car parts suppliers.
Electricity grids - intelligent solutions could reduce energy costs By 2030, 80 per cent of Germany's electricity is to come from renewable energies. Numerous measures are to ensure that the expansion of wind and solar power plants accelerates. But the expansion of the electricity grids can hardly keep pace. The result: in order to keep the grid stable, renewable energies have to be shut off again and again. With expensive consequences for electricity customers. For a long time, experts have been calling for other solutions for the electricity infrastructure in order to make better use of renewable energies. Politicians are reacting far too slowly - and that could have fatal consequences. Land sealing - wrong incentives through municipal financing The federal government wants to massively reduce land sealing.
But especially in rural areas, new sealing of arable land has been increasing for several years: There are still municipalities that do not recognise the importance of agricultural land. They sacrifice it for business parks, shopping centres or new housing developments. The hope of the municipalities: additional tax revenues and new jobs. But in many cases, experts warn, this calculation does not add up. In addition, the price of land is valued far too low. The importance of arable land for food supply, environmental and climate protection is hardly included in the calculation.
Broadcasting on 13th of September 2023 at 09.45pm on ARD, on 14th of September 2023 at 05.00am on ARD + on Tagesschau24 at 09.45 pm + on 16th of September 2023 on Tagesschau24 at 03.35pm
Music: POPVIRUS Library