Germany Meets 2024 Climate Goals but Faces Persistent Sectoral Challenges

While emissions dropped by 3.4% due to renewable energy expansion, transport and building sectors continue to lag behind targets, risking future penalties.

Germany's greenhouse gas emissions fell to 649 million tons in 2024, surpassing the legally set target of 693.4 million tons.
The energy sector led the reductions, driven by a significant expansion of renewable energy, which now accounts for nearly 60% of electricity generation.
Despite the overall progress, the transport sector missed its target by 18 million tons, with emissions remaining nearly constant for over a decade.
The building sector also failed to meet its goals, with reductions attributed more to mild weather than substantial policy impact.
Experts warn that failure to address transport and building emissions could lead to EU penalties and hinder Germany's long-term climate neutrality goal by 2045.

junge Welt

Sächsische Zeitung

Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung