Emissions Decline – The Energy Industry is Driving Climate Protection Forward

In 2024, Germany fell below the permitted emissions limit of 693.4 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. According to current UBA projections, the goal of a 65 percent reduction in emissions by 2030 remains realistic – provided that the existing climate protection measures are consistently implemented. The energy industry in particular is making a decisive contribution to the reduction and is compensating for deficits in other sectors.

A key success factor is the expansion of renewable energies. The share of green energy in gross electricity consumption will rise to around 54 percent in 2024. At the same time, emissions from fossil fuel power generation fall by 17.6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent – despite last year's nuclear phase-out. By 2030, the energy industry could even save 250 million tons of CO₂ equivalent more than originally planned. The accelerated expansion of renewable energies and the early coal phase-out are therefore essential to achieving the climate targets.

In other sectors, however, it is clear that there is still room for improvement. The transport sector remains above its target by 143.1 million tons of CO₂ equivalent in 2024. In particular, the sluggish demand for electric cars is slowing down development.

The buildings sector will also exceed its emissions targets, although the figures are declining slightly. Federal funding for efficient buildings and the Buildings Energy Act are providing important impetus here, but further incentives are needed to accelerate renovation measures and the switch to climate-friendly heating systems.

Industry is keeping its emissions stable at 153 million tons of CO₂ equivalent and remains on track. However, additional measures are needed for the long-term transformation, in particular the rapid expansion of hydrogen and electricity grids. Programs such as the “Federal funding for the decarbonization of industry” or the creation of green lead markets can give companies planning security and drive innovation.

In the long term, Germany remains on a good but ambitious path. The current figures show that the energy industry is leading the way in successfully achieving climate targets. Now it is important to transfer this momentum to all areas in order to lead Germany into the future in a sustainable and competitive way.