2021-05-12 12:40:00
GERMANY CUT EMISSIONS BY 65%
REUTERS - May 11 - The German cabinet is due to agree on tighter sector targets for carbon emission curbs on Wednesday and probably bring forward an exit date for ending coal generation currently set at 2038.
A draft law, seen by Reuters, showed the energy sector was identified as a key CO2 emissions cutter via electrification. It must curb carbon pollution by nearly two thirds.
This is far ahead of only slightly higher targets for industry and a lower target for agriculture in the revised draft vis-à-vis the original.
The moves follow a court ruling last month that a 2019 law did not go far enough to ensure climate protection. It may well become a blueprint for stricter environment action by governments elsewhere.
Germany is also seeking to gain an edge in low-carbon technologies.
The draft law will affect this year's general election campaign when Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives must hone their green profile, with Greens currently leading in the polls.
HIGHER OVERALL EMISSION TARGETS
Germany will now aim for a 65% cut in carbon emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2045, up from a previous 55% for 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Germany's actual CO2 emissions are currently 40% below the 1990 level and the new targets will mean further reductions in the 2020s. The law stopped short of making detailed recommendations for post-2030.
LEVER
The most important tool to implement the law will be a levy on carbon pollution charged to suppliers of heating and transport fuels since Jan. 1.
By collecting an initial 25 euros per tonne CO2 equivalent, due to rise to 55 euros a tonne, it enforces emission cuts while raising money for the government to help consumers with rising heat, electricity and travel bills.
The draft law expressly allows a "different pricing structure" in order to drive a departure from old oil and gas heating systems and purchases of battery-powered cars.
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Earlier:
2021, May, 7, 14:40:00
GERMANY REDUCE EMISSIONS
According to preliminary data released by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Germany’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 8.7% in 2020 to 739 MtCO2eq, corresponding to a 40.8% fall since 1990.
2021, May, 5, 16:40:00
EUROPE HYDROGEN DEVELOPMENT
The EU has made green and digital the two pillars of its recovery plan, aiming to strengthen its leadership in the global fight against climate change, boost innovation and reduce dependence on imports of critical materials.
2021, April, 23, 11:30:00
EUROPEAN CLIMATE LAW
which enshrines the EU's commitment to reaching climate neutrality by 2050 and the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030,
2021, April, 14, 12:00:00
EUROPEAN WIND INVESTMENT $51 BLN
The investments financed 19.6 GW of capacity that will be constructed in the coming years. Around 13 GW of this will be in the EU.
2021, March, 17, 14:15:00
GERMANY'S CO2 EMISSIONS DOWN
"Germany has achieved its 2020 climate target," Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier said. Compared to 1990, 2020 emissions dropped 40.8%.
2021, February, 25, 11:40:00
EUROPE'S CLEAN ENERGY PARTNERSHIP EUR 10 BLN
The EU will provide nearly Eur10 billion of funding that the partners will match with at least an equivalent amount of investment, the EC said in a statement.
2021, February, 17, 15:35:00
EUROPEAN ENERGY & CLIMATE
Signed in 1994 to protect cross-border investment in the energy sector, the Energy Charter Treaty has faced growing criticism from environmental groups and governments that say it impedes countries’ efforts to phase out fossil fuels.
