German climate goals within reach

Berlin (d.de) – Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany fell to the equivalent of 649 million tonnes of carbon in 2024, down 3.4% compared to 2023 levels, Germany’s Ministry for the Environment (UBA) has announced. “Germany is closing climate loopholes and is on track to meet its climate goals. As the world’s third-largest economy, we are able to say that it is possible to reduce greenhouse gases while maintaining growth in the years to come,” said Robert Habeck, Minister for Economic Affairs and the Climate (photo). Strong expansion in renewables and networks, in conjunction with emissions trading guaranteed the continued reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases which harm the climate, Habeck said. 

According to the UBA, annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2024 were equivalent to 693.4 million tonnes of carbon, well below the level required by law. UBA projections for 2025 also indicate that the target of reducing emissions to 65% of 1990 levels by 2030 was already within reach with existing climate policy instruments, as long as Germany continues to use these tools in a committed way. According to the UBA data, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to be cut by 63% by 2030, and annual greenhouse gas emission totals for all sectors would actually beat targets for the period from 2021 to 2030.