Germany leads CO ₂ emissions due to its greater production with coal

Germany leads European _CO2 emissions. According to data collected by the consultancy Ember until mid-November, the country ranks as the main emitter of _CO2 on the continent surpassing Poland.

The German government wants to put an end to this situation that is proving especially costly (emission rights are quoted at more than 80 euros per ton) and ensures that it will reach climate neutrality in 2045.

To achieve this, the new coalition aims to close the almost 42,000 MW of coal it has in operation in 2030, a decision that will be added to the closure of the nuclear plants that has already begun this year and that will culminate in October. Both technologies currently provide about 40% of the country’s electricity.

Germany has been opposed to defending the incorporation of nuclear within the taxonomy of the European Union but recognizes that at present it does not have the necessary support to be able to impose its criteria. In fact, yesterday ended the deadline opened by the European Commission to receive the allegations about the incorporation of gas and nuclear as ‘sustainable’ technologies.

Since January 1, Germany assumed the presidency of the G7 and is expected to present today its agenda where it is predicted that the decarbonization of the economy will be one of the key issues for the group of the most powerful countries on the planet.

France, for its part, will continue to defend the role of nuclear energy as a key technology for the energy transition and some states such as Belgium, which had a plan to close plants, have begun to modify their initial positions in the face of the energy supply crisis that Europe is going through and that could last for a certain time.

China has been allowed to put a portion of its LNG gas supplies on the market

Natural gas prices, however, have begun to retreat in recent weeks thanks in part to lower consumption pressure that has generated a milder temperature than usual at this time. In fact, this situation has allowed China to put on the market a part of its gas supplies by LNG (about 4% of its demand), which makes it easier for Europe to replenish its reserves.

Meanwhile, the NordStream 2 gas pipeline is ready to enter into operation since December 30 but the German government has decided not to grant the necessary permits for the commissioning of a facility that would facilitate the flow of 55 bcm of gas to Europe.

Russia’s geopolitical tension with Ukraine and Gazprom’s decision to limit gas flows to Europe have forced an increase in the use of coal in electricity generation that could be maintained for at least the next two years.

The International Energy Agency says the amount of electricity generated with coal grew by 9% in 2021 to reach a new record. Coal use had fallen between 2019 and 2020 but last year’s rapid economic recovery caused electricity demand to rise faster than the pace low-carbon supplies could keep up. The sharp rise in gas prices and _CO2 rights also increased the demand for coal by making it more cost-competitive.

In the midst of this tense scenario, the European Commissioner for Energy, Kadri Simson, met yesterday with the Minister of Energy of Ukraine, German Galushchenko, to analyze the possible collaboration of the European Union on security of supply during the coming months. Europe has a solidarity mechanism in case of security of supply problems.

Source: The Economist