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Garzweiler opencast mine (picture from November 1, 2022): During the crisis, Germany is relying more on coal power for electricity production
Photo: IMAGO/MARC JOHN / IMAGO/Marc John
According to a study, the increased use of coal-fired power plants as a substitute for gas has thwarted the German climate targets for 2022.
According to an evaluation by the Agora Energiewende think tank, the use of coal and oil nullified the greenhouse gas savings, although overall energy consumption fell by almost five percent, mainly because of the high prices.
The transport and building sector was again unable to meet its targets last year.
According to provisional figures, Germany produced 761 million tons of greenhouse gas, almost exactly as much as in 2021. The self-imposed upper limit for 2022 was missed by around five million tons.
Accordingly, CO2 emissions stagnated at a high level despite reduced energy consumption, comparatively warm weather and favorable conditions for wind and solar systems.
"This is an alarm signal with regard to the climate goals," said Agora boss Simon Müller, according to a statement.
He also pointed out that the traffic light coalition has so far failed to deliver its announced immediate climate protection program.
The government must turn the tide by 2023.
With a minus of 39 percent compared to 1990, emissions are currently still below the target for 2020 of 40 percent at the time.
By 2030, Germany wants to reduce emissions by 65 percent.
Industry has achieved goals
Traffic remains the major problem area among the sectors: According to Agora, CO2 emissions at 150 million tons were well above the 139 million tons permitted under the Climate Protection Act.
Reasons for missing the target are the traffic volume, which increased again after the Corona decline, and the lack of political instruments to reduce emissions.
The industrial sector, on the other hand, has met its targets.
This is a result of energy savings and more efficiency.
Nevertheless, more is needed to achieve the targets for 2030.
According to the Agora evaluation, renewable energies produced more electricity than ever before in 2022, at 248 terawatt hours - an increase of around ten percent compared to 2021. Wind power remained the largest supplier of electricity among the renewables.
At the same time, production from solar power plants increased by 23 percent compared to 2021 - thanks to an above-average sunny year and a strong expansion of new plants.
ani/Reuters
