The idea for a forum on climate policy has been circulating in the SPD for a long time. Now the “Project 2045” is starting - a platform that wants to advance the issue of climate policy within the SPD and in society.
The need to do something was demonstrated by the hot summer of 2026 with its dramatic developments: around 16,000 heat deaths according to the Robert Koch Institute, overheated rooms in old people's homes and hospitals, inland shipping on the Rhine that has come to a standstill in places - with costly consequences for industry.
Less polarization, more solutions
The around 60 founding members of the new association “Project 2045” want to change something. Among them are primarily SPD members of the Bundestag, social democrats from local, state and European politics, but also scientists, entrepreneurs and trade unionists.
The common goal: less polarization in climate policy, more solutions and making them socially fair. “It’s time to pacify the culture wars of climate policy,” says Jakob Blankenburg, environmental policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group and one of the minds behind the initiative. Co-initiator and SPD MEP Delara Burkhardt adds: “We will not leave the field to those who live from division.”
Climate goals in discussion
Germany wants to become climate neutral by 2045. The EU wants to achieve this goal by 2050. How this can be achieved is politically controversial. Some actors, including the AfD, even fundamentally reject the climate goals. Others, such as the Federation of German Industries, warn that the economy is being overwhelmed and are calling for more flexibility.
Climate protection is too often viewed across the board according to the motto “do it or leave it,” observes SPD politician Blankenburg. Rather, we need to talk about whether the instruments work. The association wants to shape this debate with its own reports, surveys and events.
Climate Union as a role model?
In March, around 400 interested parties discussed the second SPD climate dialogue at the SPD party headquarters - from the grassroots to officials. We now want to build on this and provide impetus for the party. “We are currently working on a new fundamental program, and fair climate policy plays a central role in it,” says SPD General Secretary Tim Klüssendorf. With the “Project 2045” the social democrats are breaking new ground. Klüssendorf particularly emphasizes the integration of various social groups from business to science.
Initiators from the ranks of the CDU and CSU wanted to overcome the alleged contradiction described between economic growth and climate protection as early as 2021 and founded the Climate Union. With this step, they also wanted to encourage their parties to be more ambitious on the issue and strengthen climate competence within the party.
The KlimaUnion is looking forward to the SPD's "Project 2045". “We see this as a positive development when climate issues are strengthened within the SPD,” says KlimaUnion chairman Thomas Heilmann. When setting up a new company, it is important to think about Europe right from the start, advises Heilmann. Many rules come from the European Parliament and then have to be implemented into national law.
Climate protection is not the same as climate protection
But despite anticipation: the CDU, CSU and SPD have different ideas about climate protection. The Social Democrats, for example, support a speed limit, the Union rejects it. The Union wanted to abolish the “Heating Act”, while the SPD preferred to revise it. The CDU relies on market mechanisms and innovation, the SPD on state investments and regulation.
An unrestricted agreement between both parties on climate protection is therefore not to be expected. Rather, the “Project 2045” fills a gap and ensures greater visibility of climate policy.
What does the economy say?
This generates a positive response, especially among companies that are committed to climate protection and promote economic competitiveness. Sabine Nallinger, board member at the KlimaWirtschaft Foundation, believes that "discussing climate protection in the parties with increasing depth is the right way forward." The SPD could play an important role in finding solutions, especially in the social design of the transformation.
The Greens in the Bundestag also fundamentally welcome the new formation. However, Jan-Niclas Gesenhues, the environmental policy spokesman for the parliamentary group, also sounds skeptical, "because so far the SPD has stood out primarily as the enforcer of Katherina Reiche, who, as is well known, puts the ax to climate protection wherever possible." There is a need to catch up, especially when it comes to expanding renewable energies and climate-friendly mobility.
Unlike a few years ago, climate policy cannot currently win elections. Quite the opposite: Climate protection has now become an emotive term in political debate. According to surveys, most people still want climate protection, but not at any price, but rather affordable, fair and economically sensible. A challenge for everyone who wants to make a difference in climate policy.
