Germany on course to meet 2030 climate goal, minister says

Berlin: German Climate Protection Minister Robert Habeck on Friday said he believed that the country could meet its climate protection target for 2030.

Habeck — Germany's economic and climate action minister as well as vice chancellor —  said that, for the first time, it appeared that measures to curb emissions to fight the effects of climate change were actually working.

"If we stay on course, we will achieve our climate targets for 2030," Habeck said, referring to figures from the German Environment Agency (UBA).

"For the first time ever the numbers show Germany is on track," the minister said.

The announcement came as the UBA confirmed that initial projections for Europe's biggest economy showed emissions falling by around 10% year-on-year in 2023.

Under the Climate Protection Act, Germany has committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 65% by 2030 compared to 1990.

Projected data for greenhouse gas emissions show a drop of almost 64% by 2030 compared to 1990 — bringing the goal into reach. In a 2021 report, a reduction of just 49% had been expected.

"If we continue to work hard on it now and continue until 2030, climate neutrality can be achieved by 2040," said UBA President Dirk Messner.

The agency said carbon dioxide emissions had fallen to 673 million metric tons — the biggest drop since Germans reunification.

A fall in output from energy-intensive industries alongside a rise in renewable power production contributed to the emissions, the agency said.

However, the transport and building sectors failed to meet their emissions targets last year, the agency said. This placed the 2030 goals in jeopardy if further measures were not taken to decarbonize the sectors were not taken, it added.