Germany 2023 emissions lowest in 70 years: study

Germany emitted in 2023 the lowest amount of carbon dioxide in some 70 years, a new study has shown, as Europe's largest economy strives to reduce its dependence on coal.

The study by energy think tank Agora Energiewende said Germany emitted 673 million tons of greenhouse gasses last year — 73 million tons fewer than in 2022.

The figure is the lowest "since the 1950s," according to the think tank.

What caused the drop in CO2?

The decline in emissions was partially driven by an increase in domestic renewable energy production. Last year, electricity generation from renewable sources such as wind and solar was more than 50% of the total for the first time.

Another factor was a significant drop in the production of coal-fired electricity, which fell to its lowest levels since the 1960s. The think tank estimated that the cut in coal use accounted for a reduction of 46 million tons in CO2 emissions.

Germany aims to phase out coal by 2038, and Economy Minister Robert Habeck has even pushed for an earlier exit by 2030. Western German states are in agreement over the earlier date, though the eastern brown coal belt has shown resistance.

Emissions were also impacted by energy-intensive manufacturers scaling down production as a result of spiking gas prices following a shift away from Russian piped gas supply to liquefied natural gas imports.

Industrial emissions fell by 20 million tons.

"The consequences of the fossil energy crisis and the slowdown in the economy are particularly evident in the CO2 emissions of energy-intensive industries," Agora director Simon Müller said in a statement.

What does this mean for Germany's climate targets?

Europe's largest economy, Germany is also the EU's biggest CO2 emitter, accounting for around a quarter of energy-related emissions, according to the EU's statistics office Eurostat.  

While the figures may indicate progress, the industry emissions reduction did not reflect a "sustainable development," cautioned Müller.

"The crisis-related slump in production weakens the German economy. If emissions are subsequently relocated abroad, then nothing has been achieved for the climate," he said.

The think tank estimated that only 15% of the 2023 reduction could actually count as "permanent emissions savings."

Germany aims to cut it overall emissions 65% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels and 88% by 2040. 

To hit its climate targets, Germany needs a "barrage of investments" to modernize industry and reduce the carbon footprint from heating, Müller said.

What do countries need to do to cut CO2 emissions? 

Expanding renewable energy production is seen as a key way to move away from burning fossil fuels, which produces greenhouse gas emissions that drive global warming. 

Müller said Germany was getting closer to its target of producing 80% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030. 

But in 2022, Germany's Federal Environment Agency would have had to almost double its renewable energy capacity to reach the goal. 

And renewables still make up a relatively low percentage of Germany's overall energy mix. In 2022, they accounted for just 20%, lower than the EU average of 22% and far below countries like Sweden and Norway, where wind and solar provide up to three quarters of energy. 

Global leaders have pledged to transition away from burning fossil fuels for energy with more than 100 countries, including the EU and the world's second biggest CO2 emitter, the US, promising to triple renewable energy by 2030. The EU aims to increase its renewables share to produce a minimum of 42.5% of member states' energy by 2030. 

But globally, emissions will have to drop significantly if the world is to stay on track to keeping temperatures below the limit of 1.5 degree Celsius as set out in the 2015 Paris Agreement. 

According to a UN report released in December, under current pledges, humanity is on track to see global average temperatures rise by between 2.5 and 2.9 degrees Celsius (4.5 to 5.22 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. 

To prevent a temperature increase and avoid even more catastrophic extreme weather events, experts say predicted 2030 emissions from all greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, would have to fall by 42%. 

rmt/nm (AFP, Reuters)

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