Climate Balance 2020: CO2 Dent in Traffic Short-Lived

As the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action recently announced in its final report, a total of 728.7 million tons of CO2 equivalents were emitted in Germany in 2020. This is around 71 million tons or 8.9 percent less than in 2019 and 41.3 percent less compared to 1990. These results are shown in the final calculations that the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has transmitted to the European Commission. According to the findings, the most significant reduction in emissions was observed in the energy sector. With 407.4 million tons of CO2 equivalents in the non-EU emissions trading sector (primarily transportation and buildings), Germany adhered to its budget from the Effort-Sharing Decision (ESD) in 2020. However, the slight surplus of 3.5 million tons cannot compensate for the accumulated deficit of previous years, the UBA cautions. Therefore, Germany will need to purchase emission allowances from other member states.

One-time Effect: Transport Sector Below 1990 Levels

As in the energy sector, which managed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15.2 percent in 2020 thanks to a significant drop in coal-fired power generation, CO2 emissions in the transport sector also decreased notably compared to 2019. This is despite the fact that the number of passenger cars continued to increase for the 13th consecutive year, as the agency reports. With 147.2 million tons of CO2 equivalents, transport emissions are nearly eleven percent below the 2019 level and thus back below the 1990 value. Emissions from passenger car traffic even decreased by 13 percent compared to the previous year, the agency specifies.

Marginal: E-Cars Contribute Little So Far

The majority of this reduction is attributed to the fact that, on average, significantly less driving occurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To a much lesser extent, more electric vehicles and higher biofuel blends contributed to the reduction in emissions. The mileage of trucks was only slightly lower compared to the previous year despite the pandemic, and emissions from commercial vehicles decreased by five percent. Emissions from domestic air traffic fell significantly (-53 percent).

"We are facing an enormous climate policy challenge. We need to increase the pace and actively shape the transformation of our economy and society. The climate targets require almost a tripling of the previous rate of emission reductions by 2030," explained Patrick Graichen, Secretary of State in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.

To ensure future compliance with annual emission amounts under the Climate Protection Act, he considers additional measures affecting all sectors as "urgently necessary." With the launch of the Climate Protection Immediate Program, all necessary laws and measures are now being put on track, believes the former head of the think tank Agora Energiewende.

UBA President Calls for Electric Transformation

From the perspective of UBA President Dirk Messner, it was indeed only the COVID-19 crisis that caused a significant reduction in emissions in 2020. However, this will not be permanent, and emissions rose again in 2021 according to initial forecasts. To make Germany climate-neutral by 2045, more energy from wind and sun, more electromobility, a transition to renewable energy for heating, and a fundamental transformation of industrial production will be necessary. The UBA will publish its complete forecast of CO2 emissions for 2021 on March 15, 2022.