A ZERO Net
Carbon Emissions
Goal for 2100
DIE CO2-EMISSIONSZIELE FÜR 2030
Can Germany Reach This Target?
Yes
Germany’s National Climate Goals:
•
Germany already has a climate target in place that aims to reduce total
greenhouse gas emissions by up to 95% in 2050 (Appunn, 2016).
•
By this time at least 80% of gross power production will be provided by renewable
sources (Appunn, 2016)
Reports in 2015, showed that Germany is making “good Progress” in its efforts to
achieve these goals (Amelang, 2016)
How Will Germany Achieve this Goal?
What examples of sustainable development are being implemented to
reduce CO2 emissions.
“Eco-Tax”:
-The German Ecological Tax Reform was implemented in 1999.
-Involves incremental increase in taxes on fossil fuels and “unfriendly” energy use (Ecological
Institute, 2004)
-Has proven effective in reducing national CO2 emissions and stimulating employment
(Ecological Institute, 2004)
-The additional income is used to fund the public pension scheme and reduce payroll tax.
Adds incentives for individuals to save energy (Ecological Institute, 2004)
A Focus on Renewables:
“Renewable Energy Heating Act”- 2009
-Aims to increase share of renewable heat 14% by 2020 (Germany Energy Transition, no date)
-Requires owners of new building developments to get a portion of the heat for their buildings
from renewable sources (German Energy Transition no date)
-Examples of renewable heat sources include wood fired boilers, heat pumps and solar
collectors.
- Existing buildings are subject to the Market Incentive Programme, in which the government
allows applications for support in renovations of heating systems (German Energy Transition,
no date).
Renewable Energy Act
-Since the 90s, Germany has had policies in place to promote the development of
renewable energy sources such as, wind power, hydroelectric and solar power. (German
Energy Transition, no date)
-Energy companies are required by law to purchase renewable power. (German Energy
Transition, no date).
-
Feed-In Tarriffs encourage the development and sale of renewable power sources at a
range of scales. (German Energy Transition, no date).
-Renewables and mine gas turbines are given grid priority (Lang and Lang, 2009).
The Global Scientific consensus is in, Climate Change is
happening… And it won’t wait for us.
It’s time to act, join #theclimaterevolution
References
-Amelang, S. (2016) Energiewende climate targets in ‘serious danger’ - govt advisors. Available at:
https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/energiewende-climate-targets-serious-danger-govt-advisors (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-Appunn, K. (2016) Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions and climate targets. Available at: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/factsheets/germanysgreenhouse-gas-emissions-and-climate-targets (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-Ecologic Institute (2004) Effects of Germany’s ecological tax reforms. Available at: http://ecologic.eu/1156 (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-Energy Transition (no date) Renewable energy heating act and market incentive program (MAP). Available at:
http://energytransition.de/2012/10/renewable-energy-heating-act-and-market-incentive-program-map/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-German Energy Transition (no date) Renewable energy act with feed-in tariffs and auctions. Available at:
http://energytransition.de/2012/10/renewable-energy-act-with-feed-in-tariffs/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-OffshoreWIND (2014) German Renewables surpass 25 Pct mark. Available at: http://www.offshorewind.biz/2012/08/01/german-renewables-surpass-25pct-mark/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-Lang, M. and Lang, A. (2009) Overview renewable energy sources act. Available at: http://www.germanenergyblog.de/?page_id=283 (Accessed: 27
November 2016).
Images
-OffshoreWIND (2014) German Renewables surpass 25 Pct mark. Available at:
http://www.offshorewind.biz/2012/08/01/german-renewables-surpass-25-pct-mark/ (Accessed: 26 November 2016).
-Coleman, J. (2014) John Coleman’s Blog. Available at: https://johncolemanblog.com/tag/global-warming/ (Accessed:
27 November 2016).
-Dry-Cleaning-London (no date) The Eco-friendly business. Available at: http://dry-cleaning-london.co.uk/eco-friendly/
(Accessed: 27 November 2016).
-Pearce Platford Electrical Engineering (2016) Solar PV maintenance. Available at: http://pearce-platford.co.uk/solar-pv/
(Accessed: 27 November 2016).
-Hay, M. (2004) Germany travel guide. Available at: http://www.eupedia.com/germany/ (Accessed: 27 November 2016).