Germany: Greenhouse gas reduction likely to undershoot climate goal - BNPP

Germany’s Climate Action Programme aims at reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% in 2020 compared to the 1990 level, points out Raymond Van Der Putten, Research Analyst at BNP Paribas.

Key Quotes

“Thanks to energy savings and the development of renewable energy substantial progress has been made. In 2017, a third of electricity came from renewable energy, mainly solar and wind energy.”

“Nevertheless, the country is clearly falling behind its objectives. Owing to the intermittency of solar and wind energy, coal fired power stations have been kept in place to maintain grid stability. The 2020 objective is only attainable by switching off these plants by 2020, but this would seriously harm the economy.”

“At the coalition talks, CDU/CSU and SPD have agreed in setting up a commission to identify measures to close the gap to the 2020 goal “as far as possible” and to make the 2030 target - a 55% reduction - “credibly achievable.” This commission should also produce a plan for phasing coal-fired power stations. The only hitch is that 2030 is well beyond the end of the current parliamentary term.”