The European Union has set a target to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 percent by 2020. And it plans to achieve a 30 percent reduction if other industrialised and emerging nations agree to join the cause.
As Minister Gabriel announced, the aim must be to achieve a 40 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions in Germany by 2020 (compared with the base year 1990).
Eight point plan
The minister presented an eight point plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The following measures are necessary to achieve a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020:
- Energy efficiency must effect an 11 percent reduction in electricity consumption, representing 40 million tonnes less CO2.
- Power plants must be made more efficient. CO2 reductions amounting to 30 million tonnes could be achieved.
- The share of renewable energy in electricity generation must be increased to over 27 percent. This could save 55 million tonnes of CO2.
- Advance environmentally sound technology for use in combined heat and power plants to 25 percent for CO2 savings of 20 million tonnes.
- Reduce energy consumption through building modernisation and improved heating systems. This could cut CO2 emissions by 41 million tonnes.
- Increase the share of renewable energy in heat generated by power plants to reduce CO2 emissions by some 14 million tonnes.
- Increase efficiency in transport and use more biofuels to cut CO2 by 30 million tonnes.
- Reduce emissions of other greenhouse gases like methane to achieve CO2 reductions of 40 million tonnes.
Germany to become the world’s most energy efficient nation
CO2 emissions in Germany are now 18 percent below those in 1990. This puts Germany way ahead of other western industrialised nations and just three percent away from achieving its Kyoto Protocol target of a 21 percent reduction by 2012.
The German government has significantly reduced the total amount of CO2 emissions allowed in industry from 2008. This is to be achieved in the second trading period of the Emissions Trading Scheme. Energy suppliers thus have an incentive to make their power stations more environmentally sound.
Minister Gabriel called upon industry to develop new technologies and to manage existing energy sources more efficiently, stressing that: "These measures bring huge business opportunities, especially for an exporting country like Germany”.
If climate change continues unabated, Germany faces costs in the region of 137 billion euros by 2050. This is the estimate arrived at by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). By way of contrast, the investment needed to mitigate climate change is estimated at three billion euros by 2010.
We can all help
"We can all play a significant role in combating climate change”, said the environment minister. Saving energy starts with unplugging our televisions at night to disconnect the standby feature. And we should consider electricity consumption when purchasing new products.