Emissions in Germany Drop to 70-Year Low Amid Drop in Coal Use

Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany hit a 70-year low in 2023, thanks to the country’s reduced reliance on coal for energy generation. Europe’s largest economy has been cutting coal use as part of efforts to combat climate change, and according to research institute Fraunhofer ISE, Germany has reduced coal power production to the lowest levels since 1963.

Germany’s total share of coal-fired power production had fallen by nearly one-third in 2023, bringing the fossil fuel’s share of the country’s net power generation to just 26% compared to renewables at almost 60%.

A study from the German think tank Agora Energiewende noted that the country’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 73 million tons to 673m tons in 2023. Agora says the fall in greenhouse gas emissions was primarily due to a “strong decrease in coal-power generation.” Industry emissions also saw a significant fall as energy-intensive companies cut their production through 2023.

As with many other European nations, Germany turned back to coal in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war when Moscow cut natural gas supplies to the rest of Europe in retaliation to a myriad of sanctions. Germany relied on the dirty fuel to shore up energy supplies amid the global energy crisis but has cut down on coal use significantly since.

By the end of 2023, the federal network agency reports coal’s share of Germany’s total energy mix fell from 34% to 26% while electricity generation from renewable energy sources accounted for more than 50% for the first time ever last year.

Agora director Simon Müller says the renewables record brought the European nation closer to achieving its goal of generating 80% of its electricity from solar and wind by the end of the decade. Even so, the think tank notes that most of the greenhouse gas emissions cuts of 2023 aren’t sustainable from a climate policy or industrial perspective.

Although the slump in production contributed to a notable reduction in greenhouse emissions, it is also weakening the German economy.

Even if production resumes but the emissions are “relocated abroad,” Müller explains that the net-zero benefit to the climate would be zero. According to the think tank, only an estimated 15% of the greenhouse gas emissions reduction was “permanent emissions savings.”

Any rebounds in German production would undo the emissions savings and derail the nation’s efforts to decarbonize its economy by 2030. Müller says the country will need a “barrage of investments” to achieve its climate targets by modernizing industry and reducing emissions from heating.

Companies such as Warrior Met Coal Inc. (NYSE: HCC) could continue supplying coal to countries around the world as governments work to transition to greener energy sources such as solar energy. Until that transition happens, coal is likely to remain a major feature of the energy mix in different countries.

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