H2Fly’s twin-fuselage aircraft makes world-first liquid hydrogen flight
Liquid hydrogen is a giant pain to handle, but it’s one of the few technologies with a genuine chance of decarbonizing long-range flight.
Germany
This archive collects solutions-journalism stories and milestones from Germany — covering advances in renewable energy, public health, social policy, science, and more. Each entry highlights real progress reported from or about the country.
Germany to ban new gas and oil heating beginning in 2024
A recently approved bill stipulates that any heating system installed in new or old buildings after January 1, 2024 must be 65% based on renewable energy.
Germany & France join E.U. nations suing Hungary over anti-LGBTQ+ law
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the European Parliament have also applied to join the suit.
Volkswagen will invest $193 billion in electric cars and software
Volkswagen announced a blockbuster investment in new EV and battery development that will greatly increase its North American manufacturing presence.
German man becomes third human to be completely cured of HIV
Like the “Berlin patient” and the “London patient” before him, the “Düsseldorf patient” received treatment for an acute blood disease and, in the process, was cured of HIV infection.
Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and Scotland pledge more than 200 million euros for climate damages in the Global South
Rich nations, which bear the brunt of responsibility for warming the atmosphere, have long resisted making such payments, seeking to avoid assuming legal liability for their contributions to climate change.
Germany to become second E.U. nation to legalize recreational cannabis
Recreational cannabis legalization in Germany would mark a significant shift for Europe’s largest economy — moving the country away from a prohibition model that its own health minister says has shown no clear results. The proposal would allow licensed shops and pharmacies to sell cannabis to adults, with age-based limits on potency designed to protect younger users. Because Germany sits at the heart of the E.U., its approach could reshape how other member states think about drug policy far more than smaller precedents have. This is what evidence-based reform looks like in practice.
Germany to take in 1,000 at-risk Afghans every month
Germany’s new program will support Afghans suffering persecution at the hands of the Taliban, including women’s and human rights advocates and people who have persecuted because of their religion, gender, or sexual orientation.
World’s biggest reinsurer will no longer offer insurance or investment for new oil and gas developments
The German reinsurance group Munich Re will no longer invest in or insure the planning, financing, construction or operation of new oil and gasfields, new oil-fired power plants or developments in “midstream” oil infrastructure, beginning in April 2023.
Meat consumption is falling significantly across Western Europe
A French research company interviewed more than 4,000 adults across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. More than 50% reported having reduced their meat consumption in the last five years largely for environmental, animal welfare, and personal health reasons.