Germany has for all practical purposes banned most fracking, the process of blasting chemicals into the ground at extremely high pressure to released trapped pockets of natural gas.  It follows years of dispute over the controversial technology which campaigners say destroys ground water supplies.

Fossil fuel companies are not happy, calling the ban ill-conceived and a threat to Germany’s financial future,  But environmental groups are also not pleased with the new law because it has a five year sunset provision at which time it will bereviews.  Greens worry that the fossil fuel companies will use the time to lobby hard for reversing the ban.

"It is not a real ban on fracking what they decided," said Greenpeace campaigner Christoph von Lieven, pointing out that some fracking for "scientific purposes" will be allowed.  "The Bundestag decided that fracking will be allowed.  Not banned," he complained.  "Fracking is deeply unpopular in Germany, and not just with environmentalists.  Mineral water and beer makers are very concerned with the poisoning of ground water supplies by fracking chemicals blasted into the water table.

A week before the fracking vote, state lawmakers in Berlin voted to have its pension fund dump its investments in companies deemed "incompatible" with its goal of becoming climate neutral by 2050.  This follows the lead of other European capitals such as Stockholm and Oslo who have already divested from fossil fuels.