Germany continues to successfully reduce its carbon footprint
Federal Environment Minister Svenja Schulze presents the emissions data for 2020. At 8.7 percent, the decline is the largest in the last 30 years. The trend of recent years is thus continuing. Since German reunification in 1990, the decline has been a full 40.8%. There has been progress in all areas, but particularly in the energy sector. However, a not inconsiderable part of the reduction will probably not be sustainable, as it can be traced back to the measures taken to fight the corona pandemic. This applies in particular to the transport and energy sectors.
The decrease by sector is:
- 14.5% energy industry
- 11.4% traffic
- 4.6% industry
- 13.5% buildings
- 2.2% agriculture
- 3.8% waste sector
This year the data was presented for the first time as a result of the new Federal Climate Protection Act. As required by law, the data will be checked by the newly established Expert Council on Climate Issues.
Source and more information on the website of the German Federal Environment Ministry:
https://www.bmu.de/en/pressrelease/greenhouse-gas-emissions-fell-87-percent-in-2020