Global comparison reveals Germany's 'Energiewende dilemma'

(EurActiv, 9 Dec 2014) Swelling CO2 emissions from coal-fired power generation hurt Germany’s score in the latest global climate protection index compiled by the NGO Germanwatch. But the government’s latest action plan could bring about positive change.

In contrast to previous years, Germany scored average results in an annual climate change study conducted by the environment NGO Germanwatch. Among the world’s 58 largest CO2 emitters, it ranked 22nd.

The NGO blamed Berlin's continued support of the coal industry.

“The so-called ‘Energiewende dilemma’ – the considerable increase in coal power generation alongside simultaneous expansion of renewable energies – has been damaging Germany’s climate balance,” explained Jan Burck of Germanwatch. Burck is the author of the NGO’s Climate Change Performance Index, which was released on Monday (8 December) at the Climate Conference in Lima.

Now, Germanwatch is particularly hopeful of the German government’s recently-approved climate protection package, Burck said.

See also:

German government approves €80 billion climate package

eceee page on energy efficiency and competitiveness

US fracking no competitive advantage, KfW Economic Research paper says

Germany far from giving up fossil fuels despite Energiewende

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EurActiv, 9 Dec 2014: Global comparison reveals Germany's 'Energiewende dilemma'