Every country sets ambitious emissions targets. Typical of politicians, if they think they can probably do "x" with little effort, they will grandly announce that "we are going to do z" and secretly hope they will with luck get to "y".

All this to please the voters concerned with the environment, atmosphere and the damage human industry is causing. Many politicians know full well that their targets are unachievable if they want to simultaneously protect industry, jobs and keep the economy growing. There is no obvious way to make all the changes required to reduce emissions without a detrimental effect on a country's finances.

Ever since 1990, Germany's emissions have been steadily falling. In 2023, the country had cut their emissions to nearly half of the 1990 level. Not a small achievement for one of the largest economies in the world, the largest in the EU.

Germany's economy didn't do so well last year. They have been working ever harder on their emissions. Coincidence? Managing to consistently reduce emissions every year is challenging. It takes investment and fresh ideas since the easiest reductions are in the first years.

By 2030, Germany intends to have reduced their emissions to 65% less than that of 1990 and become net zero by 2045.

Most other European countries are well behind on their green targets, hoping to catch up in the future, sometime, maybe. Many will make excuses and blame previous government administrations for the failure to meet targets in their country. In Germany however, they are on track to achieve their goal, by leading the way with electric vehicles sales and rooftop solar panels.

About The Author
Paul Rosenberg
Chewells Contributor

Paul is a full time driving instructor and Dad of two children. An avid reader and researcher,... »

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Replies

• Mike (Aug 18, 2024)
  The US is waking up and will catch up real fast. Watch this space.
• Marshall White (June 1, 2024)
  Germany is leading the way, but the whole of Europe should be leading the way for the rest of the world.
• Meg (Apr 3, 2024)
  Meanwhile in the UK, the government is overturning a local planning consent ban to allow drilling for oil on land in 4 areas of outstanding natural beauty!
• Urian Udell (Mar 31, 2024)
  For further reductions, they are turning their attention to Carbon Capture technology and I certainly wouldn't bet against them making a success of that too.
• Amanda Duarte (Mar 31, 2024)
  They reduced their output of atmoshere damaging gasses by over 70 million tonnes in 2023, to the lowest level in 50 years!

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