C02 emissions at lowest level since 1950s according to study
According to a study, Germany's CO2 emissions are falling. Nevertheless, the authors do not see this as a particularly great success for climate protection. What C02 has been saved is largely due to temporary effects.
According to a study, lower coal consumption and a tepid economy have caused greenhouse gas emissions in Germany to fall to their lowest level for around 70 years. According to preliminary calculations, greenhouse gas emissions last year amounted to 673 million tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), according to Agora Energiewende, a lobby association and think tank. This is 73 million tons less than in 2022 and 46 percent less than in 1990, well below the annual target of a maximum of 722 million tons of CO2 derived from the Climate Protection Act.
The authors of the study attribute only around 15 percent of the reduction to permanent savings and the expansion of renewable energies, and around half to short-term effects such as lower electricity consumption. The lower emissions are also due to the weakness of German industry, with production in energy-intensive industry in particular slumping. However, according to Agora, the main reason for the improved climate balance is that less electricity was generated from the climate-damaging burning of coal last year. This in turn was due to the price-related decline in electricity consumption of 3.9 percent compared to 2022 and a strong year for electricity from renewable energies across Europe, according to the authors of the study. Renewable energies also increased in Germany.
Emissions could also rise again due to the economic situation. In addition, the buildings and transport sectors have once again missed their climate targets. CO2 emissions in these sectors have remained virtually unchanged. The main reason for this is the slow pace of electrification with e-cars and heating in buildings. The decline in CO2 emissions had been expected after the Federal Network Agency had previously announced that far less electricity was generated from the climate-damaging burning of coal in 2023. According to Agora, this is the main reason for the improved carbon footprint.
According to the authors of the study entitled "The energy transition in Germany: state of play 2023", which will be presented in Berlin this Thursday, the fact that less coal-fired electricity was generated was due to a price-related decline in electricity consumption of 3.9 percent compared to 2022 and a strong year for electricity from renewable energies across Europe. According to Agora, this is compounded by a decline in production in the energy-intensive industry due to the crisis and economic situation. Renewable energies are also on the rise in Germany.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
- Expected costs of flood aid trigger new debate on debt brake
- Despite Germany experiencing its lowest CO2 emissions since the 1950s, the study authors view this as a modest victory in climate protection, attributing much of the reduction to temporary factors.
- According to Agora Energiewende, Germany's CO2 emissions in 2023 were estimated to be 673 million tons, a decrease of 73 million tons from 2022 and 46% lower than 1990 levels, falling short of the annual target of 722 million tons.
- The authors of the study attribute only about 15% of the reduction to permanent savings and the expansion of renewable energies, while around half is due to transient factors such as lower electricity consumption and a weak economy, particularly in energy-intensive industries.
- Despite the decline in CO2 emissions, Germany missed its climate targets in the buildings and transport sectors, with electricity consumption for e-cars and building heating lagging behind, exacerbated by the slow pace of electrification.
Source: www.ntv.de
