Compared with 2010, energy consumption by private households and associated carbon dioxide emissions decreased slightly overall.Raw material use stagnated at the level of 2010.In its Sustainability Strategy the German government sets the goal of reducing the global environmental footprint of private household consumption in all three areas. read more
Greenhouse gas emissions
Umwelt-Indikator
Indicator: Greenhouse gas emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany declined by exactly 40 % between 1990 and 2022.Germany aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % by 2020 and by at least 65 % by 2030 compared to 1990 emission levels. Complete greenhouse gas neutrality is to be achieved by 2045.In 2022, Germany stayed right under the 2020 target of minus 40 %. Without massive and rapid additional efforts, further goals wi... read more
Indicator: Greenhouse gas emissions avoided by renewable energies
Renewables are increasingly replacing fossil fuels in the fields of electricity, heat and transport.The annual greenhouse gas emissions saved in this way were more than eight times as high in 2022 than in 1990.The Federal Government intends to considerably expand the share of renewables to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions. read more
Indicator: Greenhouse gas emissions in industry
Greenhouse gas emissions of the manufacturing industry fell by around 31 % between 1995 and 2022.Over the same period, productivity in the manufacturing industry grew by about 46 % (adjusted for price).Germany is aiming for greenhouse gas neutrality by 2045. read more
News on Climate | Energy, Economy | Consumption and Sustainability | Strategies | International matters
How to improve the International Standard on carbon neutrality
The International Organization for Standardizations (ISO) last year published the first standard on carbon neutrality of organizations and products. In a new factsheet, the German Environment Agency (UBA) outlines its strength and shortcomings and draws some conclusions relevant to companies, verifiers, courts and policymakers. read more
News on Economy | Consumption
Start the transformation of the food system now!
Ecological, regional and plant-based: The transformation of our food system towards more sustainability was the focus of a research project commissioned by the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). New UBA brochure outlines strategies for a sustainable change in our diet. read more
News on Climate | Energy
UBA explanatory video: Greenhouse gases and greenhouse effect
What is the greenhouse effect and which gases are involved? How do man-made greenhouse gas emissions cause change in the earth’s atmosphere and what can still be done to limit global warming? read more
News on Soil | Land
Environment and agriculture – Overview for Germany
More than half of Germany's surface area is used for agriculture. Agriculture thus is the largest land user in Germany and a significant contributor to environmental stress. On the other hand, agriculture is also affected, for example, by the effects of climate change. In the flyer "Environment and agriculture 2018" UBA presents key facts about agriculture and environment. read more