Germany's carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions fell by 11 percent in 2023, to 598 million metric tons (MtCO₂). This was the lowest level of CO₂ emissions produced in Germany for more than three decades. Overall, Germany's annual CO₂ emissions (excluding LULUCF) have decreased by 43 percent since 1990.
Coals impact on emission levels
Coal is a very important resource in Germany, accounting for a quarter of the country’s power mix in 2023. However, coal is also the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and as such, many of biggest carbon polluters in the Germany are coal-fired power plants based. In a bid to address the country’s high emissions, Germany has set out plans to phase out coal-fired power generation by 2030.
Historical CO₂ emissions
Although Germany has cut its emissions considerably in recent decades, it is still one of the biggest CO₂ emitters in history. Since the Industrial Revolution began, Germany has released more than 90 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion. Only the United States, China, and Russia have emitted more.
Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Emissions in million metric tons of CO₂
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Umweltbundesamt. (March 15, 2024). Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/
Umweltbundesamt. "Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons) ." Chart. March 15, 2024. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/
Umweltbundesamt. (2024). Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons) . Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/
Umweltbundesamt. "Annual Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in Million Metric Tons) ." Statista, Statista Inc., 15 Mar 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/
Umweltbundesamt, Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in Germany from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Umweltbundesamt, March 15, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/449701/co2-emissions-germany/