German transport sector misses GHG targets for 2022

The German transport sector surpassed the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets specified in the Federal Climate Protection Act by 9mn t last year.

German GHG emissions from the transport sector resulted in 148mn t CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2022, 1.1mn t CO2e above the 2021 figure, according to the German environment agency UBA, as an increase in car traffic after Covid-19 transport restrictions were largely lifted and higher fuel prices were partially offset by a temporary tax cut on wholesale gasoline and diesel supplies between June and August. Record high new registrations of electric cars failed to offset the increase in emissions, UBA said.

The share of renewable energy in the German transport sector remained at 2021 levels, at 6.8pc. While the use of renewable electricity increased to 22.8pc in the transport sector because of an increase in e-mobility, sales of biofuels stagnated. The domestic energy industry's GHG emissions rose by 10.7mn t, a second consecutive yearly increase, with higher use of hard coal and lignite for electricity and heat generation.

The German federal government is to counteract current highs of GHG emissions with an "effective programme", UBA president Dirk Messner said. Overall German GHG emissions amounted to 746mn t CO2e in 2022, down by 15mn t CO2e compared with 2021.

By Charlotte Walker