German emissions at 70-year low as coal use drops

BERLIN – German emissions were at their lowest point in around 70 years as Europe’s largest economy managed to reduce its dependence on coal faster than expected, a study published on Jan 4 showed.

Europe’s biggest economy emitted 673 million tonnes of the greenhouse gases in 2023, 9.8 per cent lower or 73 million tonnes less than in 2022, according to the energy think-tank Agora Energiewende.

The figure was 46 per cent lower than in 1990, getting closer to the European Union’s 2030 target to have cut emissions by 55 per cent compared with the same reference year.

In fact, Germany’s emissions were at their lowest point “since the 1950s”, Agora said in a statement, while warning that the government had work to do to further reduce pollution.

The drop was “largely attributable to a strong decrease in coal power generation”, Agora said.

Germany resorted to the fuel in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Moscow cut off gas supplies to the European giant. But since then, Berlin has managed to pare down its use significantly.

Electricity generation from renewable sources was over 50 per cent of the total in 2023 for the first time, while coal’s share dropped to 26 per cent from 34 per cent, according to figures published by the federal network agency on Jan 3.

The cut in coal use accounted for a reduction of 46 million tonnes in CO2 emissions, the think-tank estimated.

The renewables record brought Germany closer to its target to produce 80 per cent of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030, Agora chief Simon Mueller said.

“When it comes to the generation of electricity, we are on a very good path,” Economy Minister Robert Habeck said in a statement.

The reduction in emissions however also reflected the frailty of German industry, as economic growth hovered around zero.

Industrial emissions fell by 20 million tonnes, as production in energy-intensive industries dropped sharply.

The decrease was however “not a sustainable development”, Mr Mueller said.

“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.

In all, the think-tank estimated that only 15 per cent of the reduction in 2023 constituted a “permanent emissions savings”.

To hit its climate targets, Germany needs a “barrage of investments” to modernise industry and reduce the carbon footprint from heating, Mr Mueller said. AFP