Germany and California push fossil fuel phaseouts as greenwashing list targets CCS and blue hydrogen

Germany has officially committed to phasing out fossil fuels by 2045, a shift from its earlier carbon neutrality pledge. The distinction matters because carbon neutrality can still allow offset emissions, while a phaseout targets actual fuel use. California says it ran on 100% clean electricity nine out of every ten days in 2026, and France and the Netherlands have also released fossil fuel phaseout roadmaps. The article, published as part of Covering Climate Now, also looks at which climate policies actually work. A Science paper reviewing 1,500 policies across 41 countries found only 63 produced significant emissions cuts. The Drawdown Institute used Climate Week to call out carbon capture and storage, direct air capture, blue hydrogen, and corn ethanol as greenwashing tricks rather than real solutions. For anyone tracking climate policy, the takeaway is that headline pledges are not enough. The difference between carbon neutrality and a real fossil fuel phaseout is central to judging whether governments are serious.