greenhouse gas emission reduction

Climate | Energy

Renewable energies in figures

The diagram shows how the shares of renewable energies for electricity, heat and transport are developing. While electricity steadily until 2020, the development of heat and transport shares stagnated for several years. The share of renewables in electricity fell significantly in 2021 (to 41.5 percent), but rose to a new high in 2023 (51.2 percent). The share of renewables in the heat sector reaches 18.8 percent in 2023 and in the transport sector 7.3 percent.

Up-to-date and quality controlled data on the development of renewable energies in Germany are an important basis for the evaluation of Germany’s energy transition. The Working Group on Renewable Energy Statistics (AGEE-Stat) provides these data for international reporting obligations as well the interested public. read more

Climate | Energy

Accelerating global climate action by 2030

A research project for the German Environment Agency investigates options for multilateral initiatives of G20 countries to close the climate ambition gap between insufficient current policies and contributions and the goals of the Paris Agreement by 2030. The policy fields energy transition, synthetic e-fuels, sustainable food systems and forest protection are at the spotlight of the analysis. read more

News on Climate | Energy and Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Aligning EU Climate Policy with the Paris Agreement

Planet Earth

According to the IPCC, global warming must be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius in order to mitigate the risks. An UBA position paper outlines how the EU climate policy could be aligned with this goal. Already by 2020, the parties to the Paris Agreement are to submit their updated national climate contribution to limit global warming. Up to now, far less has been promised than would be necessary. read more

Climate | Energy

Ten country reports on ambitious climate policy

The sum of greenhouse gas emission reductions from Parties to the UNFCCC is not enough to limit the level of global temperature rise to below either the 1.5°C or 2°C target. All Parties are therefore compelled to strengthen their reduction targets. The German Environment Agency (UBA) has commissioned an analysis of the institutional set up and challenges in ten selected countries. read more

News on Climate | Energy

Climate action: how to reduce emissions even before 2020

wind energy plants on a field

The international community resolved to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The mitigation activities proposed by the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will not be enough to achieve that goal. An UBA report shows how the gap can be narrowed even before 2020, for example with more efficient electrical appliances and through renewable energy support. read more

News on Climate | Energy and Sustainability | Strategies | International matters

Peatland and forest climate protection to reduce GHG emissions

drainage channel through a peatland

In 2013 the disturbed soil of peatlands and forests caused emissions with climate impact of about 45 million tonnes CO2 in Germany alone. The drainage of peatland exposes plant material to the air which was previously preserved in airtight conditions and then releases carbon and nitrous oxide. An UBA study develops incentives how to reduce peatland emissions worldwide. read more

The Umweltbundesamt

For our environment