Over recent decades, the GreenTech sector has developed into a significant part of the German economy. This cross-sector industry brings together companies offering environmentally and climate-friendly technologies and services, such as facilities for renewable energy generation or technologies to increase energy efficiency. These include, for example, filters for air purification systems as well as technologies for recycling solar panels. Currently, around 7.5 percent of those employed in Germany, nine percent of Germany's gross value added, and 8.4 percent of exports can be attributed to this sector. Gross value added amounted to 314 billion euros in 2023. Since 2010, it has grown by an average of just under five percent per year, thus significantly more dynamically than the overall economy. Growth is particularly dynamic in the areas of renewable energy systems, environmentally friendly mobility, and energy efficiency.
Carsten Schneider, the Federal Environment Minister, states, "Climate and environmental protection strengthen prosperity in our country and boost the innovative capacity of companies. The GreenTech Atlas 2025 provides impressive evidence of this: The GreenTech sector has developed strongly and is now a driving force for the German economy. Focusing on environmentally friendly products is a recipe for economic success. That is why an ambitious climate and environmental policy is also an economic modernisation and growth strategy that Germany urgently needs. Investments from the new special fund will further strengthen this effect."
UBA President Dirk Messner says, "The GreenTech Atlas 2025 shows that the sector is a strong pillar for the entire German industry in times of crises and change. It has long been clear in many sectors that the future belongs to green technologies. Ambitious environmental and climate policy goals provide the sector with security and can contribute to additional economic stability."
The development of the sector depends heavily on how consistently and sustainably political goals such as climate neutrality and the circular economy are pursued. Potential assessments indicate that the gross value added of the German GreenTech sector could grow to over 620 billion euros by 2045. The global GreenTech market could grow by an additional 30 percent if climate neutrality and circular economy practices become established. If this potential is specifically fostered, it creates a win-win situation with benefits for the economy, the creation of future-oriented jobs, and the protection of climate and environment.
Since 2010, the number of people employed in the German GreenTech sector has grown more strongly than in the overall economy. In 2023, 3.4 million people were employed in the sector – about three times as many as in the automotive industry. Employment figures developed particularly positively in the field of environmentally friendly mobility (plus five percent per year) and energy efficiency (plus three percent per year). Even during the crisis years of the coronavirus pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the GreenTech sector was able to continue its growth trajectory, while traditional industrial sectors recorded a decline in employment.
In 2023, the German GreenTech sector exported goods worth 132 billion euros, which represents more than eight percent of German exports. Since 2019, German GreenTech exports have been growing disproportionately compared to total German exports. More than half (55 percent) of GreenTech exports go to other EU member states, but the USA (9.9 percent) and China (five percent) are also key trading partners. Global demand for GreenTech from Germany has increased in all areas since 2010 and could quadruple by 2045. It is therefore important to open up new sales markets for German GreenTech exports.
Worldwide, over half of all GreenTech patent applications originate from the USA, Japan, and Germany. German patent applications are particularly focused on the areas of renewable energy and environmentally friendly mobility. Europe is still leading in the field of GreenTech: The ten most important European countries account for around 40 percent of all GreenTech patents worldwide. However, China is rapidly catching up: Since 2010, the number of Chinese patent applications has increased sixfold.
Further information:
The current results of the GreenTech Atlas 2025 are based on official statistics and a comprehensive classification of relevant GreenTech goods and services. The GreenTech Atlas is being published for the seventh time. It presents the development of the sector since 2010 and highlights its potential up to 2045.
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