The 2020 emissions gap

The 2020 emissions gap

Germany will miss its climate targets

2020 is a milestone year for climate action. By then, significant emissions reductions should have been achieved: Germany’s target, for example, is to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared with the 1990 baseline. However, Germany is about to miss its climate goals – not by a narrow margin, but by as much as up to 7%. Even the Climate Action Programme 2020, adopted in 2014, cannot close the emissions gap. But what has caused this gap, and which policy measures are needed…

Climate targets for 2030 – on the right track?

Power plants – the high potentials

Germany has set itself clear targets for progressing towards climate neutrality. However, since it is likely to miss its milestone goal for 2020, the focus has now shifted to 2030. This is clear from the Climate Protection Act, adopted in October 2019, and the Climate Action Programme 2030. Germany’s goal for 2030 is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent of the 1990 level. This means that emissions have to fall to 562 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent – the…

Climate targets for 2030 – on the right track?

Buildings – the immovables

What are the climate targets for 2030?

By 2030, the building sector is to reduce its emissions by 66-67% to 70-72 million tonnes of CO2e compared with the 1990 level.

How is this to be achieved?

Key starting points for climate change mitigation in the building sector are, currently, the expansion of support programmes, and carbon pricing. For example, funding programmes to support the renovation of buildings and promote the use of renewable heating systems will be overhauled…

Climate targets for 2030 – on the right track?

Agriculture – the special one

What are the climate targets for 2030?

By 2030, agriculture is to reduce its emissions by 31-34% to 58-61 million tonnes of CO2e compared with the 1990 level.

How is this to be achieved?

A key focus of efforts to boost climate action in agriculture is to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions. Carbon dioxide, by contrast, accounts for only a small percentage of emissions from agriculture. Emissions reductions can be achieved by improving the use of fertilisers, so that less…

Climate targets for 2030 – on the right track?

Transport – the troublesome one

What are the climate targets for 2030?

By 2030, the transport sector is to reduce its emissions by 40-42% to 98-95 million tonnes of CO2e compared with the 1990 level.

How is this to be achieved?

According to the German Government’s Climate Action Plan 2050, alternative propulsion systems – primarily electromobility – and public transport have a key role to play, along with cycling, walking and rail.

How is the transport sector performing at present?

Thus far, transport has…

“The major potential of energy efficiency is not being tapped nearly enough”

Interview with Christian Noll (DENEFF)

Energy efficiency has the potential to make a major contribution to achieving Germany’s climate targets: that makes sense, because energy not consumed generates no GHGs. Germany therefore aims to reduce primary energy consumption by 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels; the 2020 target for both Germany and the EU is a 20% reduction. However, this is another missed goal for Germany. So how are we performing on energy efficiency, and why is Germany not making fast enough progress on…