German emissions dropped 3.4% in 2024 and are on track to meet 2030 climate goals

The Federal Environment Agency of Germany said on Friday that greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by 3.4% in the last year in Europe's largest economy, which puts it on track to reach its 2030 climate goals.

Carbon dioxide emissions dropped to 649 millions tons in 2018, the agency reported. This is below the 656 million metric tonnes published by Berlin's Agora Energiewende in January, and also the legal target for 2024 of 693.4.

Germany wants to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by 65% compared to 1990 by 2030, and become carbon neutral by 2045.

Climate Action and Economy minister Robert Habeck stated in a press release that he was confident we would achieve our national targets for climate change by 2030.

Germany is however at risk of missing its EU Effort Sharing Regulation targets for 2021-2030 due to the insufficient progress made in the building and transport sectors.

The reduction in fossil energy was the driving force behind Germany's emissions decline in 2024, thanks to an explosive expansion of renewable energy, which accounted around 54% for Germany's gross energy consumption.

The reductions in emissions from the building and transport sectors were modest, with 1,4% and 2,3% respectively. They fell short of their legal targets.

(source: Reuters)