Carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union 1970-2023, by selected country

Germany produced 572 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) in 2023. Although emissions in Germany have fallen considerably in recent decades, the country still has the largest CO₂ emissions in the EU by far, producing almost twice the emissions of Italy. 

Coal emissions

Although the transition towards cleaner energy sources has helped Germany reduce its carbon footprint, it is still heavily reliant on coal. Coal is the most polluting fossil fuel, and one of the main reasons for Germany’s high emission levels. This is also the case in Poland, where 60 percent of the country’s electricity generation is coal-fired. In 2023, the 10 biggest carbon polluters in the EU were all coal-fired power plants in Germany and Poland, with Bełchatów lignite-fired power plant the most polluting of all. 

EU emission targets

As part of the EU's Effort Sharing Regulation, member states will aim to collectively contribute to EU-wide emission reductions of 40 percent in 2030, relative to 2005 levels, across the domestic transport (excluding aviation), buildings, agriculture, small industry, and waste sectors. As part of the regulation, varying national targets have been established, with Germany and France needing to cut emissions in these sectors by roughly 50 percent by 2030.