Emissions from German industry and energy have almost halved since the introduction of the EU trading system

Across Europe, emissions from the European Emissions Trading System have been reduced by 51% over the same period

Emissions from Germany’s industrial and energy sectors have been cut by almost half since the introduction of the European Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) 20 years ago, according to the Federal Environment Agency (UBA). Germany saw a 47% reduction in emissions from energy-intensive industries and the energy sector. Across Europe, ETS emissions have been reduced by 51% over the same period.

Germany joins other EU members in calling for changes to the bloc’s new emissions trading system
An alliance of environmental and social welfare organisations said that the EU’s second emissions trading system, ETS 2, needs to be designed fairly.
“Since its introduction, emissions trading has gradually become the central instrument for climate protection in Germany and Europe,” said Dirk Messner, director of the UBA. The energy sector has driven the reduction of emissions in Germany, reducing greenhouse gases by 54% since 2005. UBA attributes this recent progress to the growing share of renewables, declining electricity generation from coal and lignite, and rising net electricity imports from other countries. “If integrated into an effective mix of instruments, emissions trading will make a significant contribution to achieving the statutory climate goals of Germany and the EU,” said Daniel Klingenfeld, who heads the emissions trading authority division at UBA.

Continue reading news in El Periódico de la Energía