Germany's CO2 emissions fall to record low in 2023
According to the experts, this development is largely due to an "unexpectedly sharp drop in coal consumption" as a result of a sharp fall in demand for electricity. In addition, more electricity was imported, half of which came from renewable energies and a quarter from nuclear power. "At the same time, emissions fell at the expense of energy-intensive industry due to declines in production caused by the economy and the crisis," explained the think tank.
However, the experts do not see this preliminary evaluation as good news for climate protection, as only around 15 percent of the reduced CO2 emissions are "permanent" savings. The majority, on the other hand, is not sustainable: "For example, emissions could rise again due to the economic situation or parts of industry could relocate abroad in the longer term".
"The energy industry recorded a climate policy success with the historic high in renewable energies," explained Simon Müller, Director of Agora Energiewende Deutschland. However, the weakness of the industry is also not good for the climate if Germany as an industrial location suffers as a result and emissions are merely shifted.
Moreover, there have been hardly any changes in the critical areas of transport and buildings, Agora emphasized. "This means that the sectors have missed their climate targets for the fourth and third time in a row respectively." There are "structural" problems here that need to be addressed politically.
In the building sector, the necessary "political course has been set" with the Heating Act and the Municipal Heat Planning Act. Now it is "a matter of consistent implementation", explained Müller.
However, there is hardly any movement when it comes to transport. The share of e-cars in new registrations is still too low. Adjustments are needed to "taxes, levies and subsidies for cars" as well as a stronger expansion of local public transport.
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- Despite the record low CO2 emissions in Germany in 2023, experts caution that only 15 percent of the reduction is permanent, as increases or relocation of energy-intensive industries could negate the progress.
- Simon Müller, Director of Agora Energiewende Deutschland, celebrated the success in the energy industry's shift towards renewable energy but warned that a struggling German industrial sector could lead to emissions being shifted elsewhere.
- Agora Energiewende emphasized that although there have been political commitments in the building sector with the Heating Act and the Municipal Heat Planning Act, consistent implementation is needed to meet climate targets.
- In the transport sector, there has been little progress, as the share of e-cars in new registrations remains low, requiring adjustments to taxes, levies, and subsidies for cars, as well as a stronger expansion of local public transport.
- In the 1950s, CO2 emissions in Germany were significantly higher, reflecting a period when energy production relied more heavily on fossil fuels.
- By 2023, Germany's climate policy had led to a record low in CO2 emissions, largely due to reduced coal consumption and increased imports of renewable and nuclear electricity, but successfully addressing structural challenges in critical sectors like transport and buildings remains a key goal.
Source: www.stern.de
