BERLIN: German CO2 emissions have fallen for the first time in three years as the country’s high profile switch to renewable energy takes hold.
CO2 emissions dropped by more than 41 million tonnes last year, a drop of 4.3 percent, according to data from Germany’s UBA environment agency. This marks a 27 per cent decline on 1990 levels.
Germany has expanded solar power, wind and other renewables as part of its Energiewende programme to shift away from fossil fuels and nuclear. Renewables accounted for 27.8 per cent of power consumption in 2014, up from 6.2 per cent in 2000.
The figures roughly correspond with those published by analysts Agora Energiewende at the start of the year, which suggested renewables had become the largest source of electricity in Germany.
Environment minister Barbara Hendricks said that the growth of renewables has helped squeeze out coal and gas power plants, forcing down emissions – although she added that the mild winter has also played a part.
Critics have warned the Energiewende will increase Germany’s reliance on brown coal or lignite, the worst type of coal for the environment. Emissions from brown coal were down only 2.2. per cent, a markedly smaller decrease than the 12.9 per cent fall in emissions from gas and 8.2 per cent reduction in black coal.
The figures are positive for Germany, which is keen to make climate change a feature of its G7 presidency this year, although it will still face a battle to meet its medium-term emission goals given the use of brown coal and a three per cent rise in transport emissions last year.
