Climate neutral

until 2045.

Germany aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, which means reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero.

These ambitious goals are anchored in the EEG 2021 (Renewable Energy Sources Act) and the EEG amendment 2023, which aim to make the electricity supply emission-free in the long term.

The energy transition plays a crucial role in achieving these goals. Although much has already been achieved, it is still necessary to transform our energy supply and increase the share of renewable energy in the electricity, heat and fuel mix.

In contrast to fossil fuels, renewable energies such as solar, wind, hydropower, biomass and geothermal energy offer sustainable and climate-friendly solutions.

They are inexhaustible, cause significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions and thus make a significant contribution to climate protection.

Share of renewables in energy consumption.

The share of German energy consumption covered by renewable energies was 19.2 percent in 2021.

When it comes to the use of renewable energy sources, 50 percent is used for electricity production, 43 percent for the heating sector and 7 percent for biofuels.

The most important renewable energy source is biomass, accounting for 55 percent of renewables. 24 percent comes from wind energy, 13 percent from solar energy and four percent each from hydropower and geothermal energy.

Federal State Comparison

The federal states invest very differently in the use and expansion of renewable energies.

In 2017, Baden-Württemberg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Bavaria scored highly, while Hesse, Berlin and Saarland were in last place.

In Saxony-Anhalt, sustainable energy is largely converted into electricity and accounts for almost 60% of electricity consumption, while in North Rhine-Westphalia, lignite is still the number one energy source.

Thanks to around 3,000 wind turbines, the electricity demand in Schleswig-Holstein can be completely covered by renewable sources.