Germany

Climate change and Germany

• Germany emitted 3.3% of worldwide CO2

in 2004

• It is the top CO2 producer in Europe

• CO2 emissions decreased by 21% since 1990

• German companies create 1/3 of worldwide windmills and solar farms and ½ of the wind turbines

Climate change and Germany: Coal

• Germany is heavily dependant on coal

• It provides electricity, jobs and investment

• It is the world leader in coal production

• Therefore, new coal plants are hard to resist.

• This is the main cause of the massive Greenhouse gas emissions

Predicted Effects

• The German economy is predicted to lose billions of euros in the next decades due to climate change

• The temperatures will, if the rise is not stopped, rise by 2-4 degrees in the 21st century

• This would cause effects such as floods, droughts, and even tornadoes.

Steps already taken for reduction of CO2 emission

• Development of an energy plant running on coal which does not produce CO2

• In 2006, 1.5 billion dollars were granted to make houses more energy-efficient

• 265,000 houses were refurbished

• Taxes on not eco-friendly car motors were put in place in July

Further targets set

• The government goal is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions by 40% until 2020

• They want to continue projection of growth of usage of natural resources

Germany, COP15 and other countries

• The minister, Angela Merkel, will represent Germany at the Copenhagen Conference

• Germany has signed a treaty with Denmark, Sweden, the UK, France and Finland which reaffirms their joint commitment