Germany’s emissions hit 70-year low as it reduces reliance on coal

Country emitted 73m fewer tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023 than year before, study reveals

Germany’s emissions hit a 70-year low last year as Europe’s largest economy reduced its reliance on coal.

A study by the thinktank Agora Energiewende found that Germany emitted 673m tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023, 73m tonnes fewer than in 2022.

The drop was “largely attributable to a strong decrease in coal power generation”, Agora said, accounting for a reduction of 46m tonnes in CO2 emissions.

Emissions from industry fell significantly, largely due to a decline in production by energy-intensive companies.

Electricity generation from renewable sources was more than 50% of the total in 2023 for the first time, while coal’s share dropped to 26% from 34%, according to the federal network agency.

Germany had resorted to coal following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when Moscow cut off gas supplies. But since then Germany has significantly reduced its use of the fossil fuels.

Simon Müller, the director of Agora, said the renewables record brought Germany in line with its target to produce 80% of its electricity from wind and solar by 2030.

Despite this fall in coal reliance, the thinktank said, “most of the emissions cuts in 2023 are not sustainable from an industrial or climate policy perspective”.

Müller 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.”

In all, the thinktank estimated only 15% of the reduction in 2023 constituted “permanent emissions savings”.

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

Cover photo: RWE’s Weisweiler coal power plant in Germany. Emissions from industry fell significantly, largely due to a decline in production by energy-intensive firms. Photograph: Wolfgang Rattay/Reuters