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.
Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Germany
France
Italy
Poland
Spain
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According to the source, the carbon emissions in this statistic reflect only those through consumption of oil, gas and coal, and are based on standard global average conversion factors. This does not allow for any carbon that is sequestered, for other sources of carbon emissions, or for emissions of other greenhouse gases.
This statistic was compiled using several releases of the publication. Figures were restated based on the latest edition of the report.
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Energy Institute. (June 20, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. "Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in million metric tons)." Chart. June 20, 2024. Statista. Accessed August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Selected Countries in The European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute, Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/ (last visited August 25, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions in selected countries in the European Union from 1970 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Energy Institute, June 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/806887/carbon-dioxide-emissions-co2-emissions-european-union/