According to Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action Stefan Wenzel: “The Council of Experts confirms the calculations of the Federal Environment Agency. There were some positive and some less positive aspects to last year’s reduction in emissions. On the less positive side, the decline is partly due to the weak economy in the wake of the energy crisis caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and of the decline in global trade. At the same time, however, we have also seen some positive developments: the energy sector has become the main driving force for reducing greenhouse gases. Today, over 50% of our electricity comes from a climate-friendly energy mix. The expansion of renewable power generation is once again gaining momentum at a rapid pace and energy policy measures are having a significant impact. Furthermore, the figures published by the Federal Environment Agency in mid-March show that if we stay on course, we will achieve our 2030 climate targets and close the climate action gap even as the economy continues its recovery. At the same time, we are taking the Council's advice on the Federal budget very seriously. The Council of Experts points out that, in the upcoming budget negotiations, it is important to fend off further cuts to key climate measures. This is crucial for the development of zero-carbon heating networks and climate-friendly heating systems. We will be discussing these matters with the other ministries. Our goals are ambitious. Emissions must therefore continue to be reduced significantly in all sectors, especially in the transport sector.”

The Council of Experts concludes that, overall, the permissible annual emission levels were met in 2023 and that greenhouse gas emissions were reduced by more than 10% compared with the previous year – the highest annual decline since 1990. The Council does emphasise the major significance of factors that are not related to climate policies. However, as established by the Council in its report, the high proportion of renewable energy sources in power generation and the sharp decline in lignite-based electricity generation have also contributed to this development. This shows that climate policy decisions have already had an impact on the emissions balance. Moreover, the record expansion of photovoltaics and the significant new-build of onshore wind energy installations will only be fully reflected in this year’s greenhouse gas footprint.

This is indicated not least by the projections for the future trend of greenhouse gas emissions. Clearly, the climate policy decisions of the last two years have laid the foundations for achieving the climate targets by 2030.

The Council of Experts confirms that the transport sector was again unable to meet the targets set forth in the Federal Climate Change Act in 2023. The transport sector significantly exceeded its permitted annual emission levels, according to Federal Environment Agency data by 12.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. The buildings sector only just exceeded its annual emissions target, at just over one million tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2023. However, as the preliminary data are insufficiently precise, the Council of Experts was unable to conclusively confirm whether the sector met or missed its target. In the buildings sector, in addition to the mild weather, the adopted instrument mix of regulations, subsidies and accompanying instruments is therefore beginning to have an effect. Furthermore, the high energy prices over the past two years have once again led to significant energy savings in households.

The Council of Experts also addresses recently concluded agreements pertaining to the Federal Government’s budgetary policy. Among other things, it highlights the importance of sector-related competences and departmental responsibilities. In addition, the Council must take into account commitments that comply with the European legal framework when assessing national climate targets, as any violation or non-compliance could result in high penalties for Germany.
The Council of Experts on Climate Change has reviewed and classified the greenhouse gas emissions data for 2023. The Federal Environment Agency published the data on 15 March 2023 and, in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Climate Change Act, submitted it for review to the independent Council of Experts on Climate Change.


Further information

The Council of Experts on Climate Change was established on the basis of the Federal Climate Change Act. The Council reviews greenhouse gas emission data with regard to compliance with the annual emission levels of the sectors specified in the Federal Climate Change Act. In addition, the Council examines the effect of greenhouse gas reductions resulting from climate measures in immediate action programmes and climate action programmes of the Federal Government. To this end, the Council publishes a comprehensive report every two years on previous developments and trends in greenhouse gas emissions and the effectiveness of climate action.