By our economics editors
Jan 4, 2024 at 8:06 AM Update: 20 minutes ago
CO2 emissions in Germany have fallen to their lowest level since the 1950s. The country is therefore on course to achieve its own reduction targets. The decrease is mainly due to the decreased use of coal-fired power stations.
Germany wants to be CO2 neutral by 2045 and emit 65 percent less by 2030 than in 1990. The country is well on track to achieve this. Emissions (673 million tons in 2023) are now 46 percent lower than in 1990.
In the Netherlands, we had approximately 32 percent less CO2 emissions in 2022 than in 1990. In 2030, this should be 49 percent less according to climate goals.
The largest emission savings in Germany come from the energy sector. According to research by the German think tank Agora Energiewende, more than half of energy is already generated sustainably.
Germany previously committed to phasing out coal-fired power stations completely by 2038, but Economic Affairs Minister Robert Habeck recently suggested phasing out polluting coal as early as 2030.
Industry also contributes to reducing emissions
In addition to the energy sector, industry also contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. In 2023, 144 million tons were emitted in that sector, 12 percent less than a year earlier. This may also be partly because the German industry has had a difficult year.
Agora warns that it will be difficult for the industry to significantly reduce CO2 emissions again in 2024. Production is expected to increase again after last year’s dip. Sectors such as transport and construction lagged behind government reduction targets in 2023.
According to the think tank, it may become more difficult to achieve CO2 reduction targets for 2030, because this often requires subsidies. While last November the German Constitutional Court stopped the release of 60 billion euros for climate projects, because otherwise Germany would allow the budget deficit to rise too quickly.
Beeld: Getty Images
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2024-01-04 07:06:29
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