Germany Surpasses UK in Emissions Reductions since Paris Agreement

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Germany has outpaced the UK in reducing greenhouse gas emissions since the 2015 Paris agreement, casting doubt on the Sunak government’s claim of global climate leadership.

According to official data published by both countries, Germany’s emissions have dropped by 17% between 2016 and 2022, while the UK’s have fallen by 14% during the same period. This trend challenges the UK’s assertion of being the fastest reducer of emissions among G7 nations.

Since 1990, the UK has achieved a reduction of 48.7%, surpassing Germany’s 40% decrease. However, the UK’s decelerating progress compared to its counterparts raises concerns about its ability to address emissions from heating and industry.

Richard Black, senior associate at the London-based Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit think-tank, expressed disappointment in the UK government’s failure to maintain its lead in climate action among G7 countries. He emphasized the importance of energy efficiency and renewables in achieving a safe climate and lower energy bills for British citizens.

In 2019, the UK became the first major economy to establish a legally binding target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. So far, the UK has made progress in reducing emissions by phasing out coal from its electricity mix, reducing its share from 80% in 1990 to 1.5% in 2022.

However, the UK now faces the greater challenge of increasing clean energy supplies and transitioning households and industries to cleaner alternatives such as gas boilers and petrol cars. The Climate Change Committee recently criticized the UK government for its slow progress and lack of strategic direction in climate action.

Lisa Fischer, program lead for energy systems at think-tank E3G, highlighted the need for the UK to go beyond its previous achievements in carbon reduction and take comprehensive action on climate policy.

While the UK government claims pride in its record as a global leader on net-zero emissions, critics argue that it has fallen behind due to years of inaction on climate policy. The European Union is also facing similar concerns, with doubts raised about its funding for achieving emissions reduction targets.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed pride and confidence in the UK’s achievements in emission reduction, emphasizing that other countries catching up is a positive development. The UK government reiterated its position as the fastest reducer of emissions among G7 nations and highlighted the significant investment in renewables, which now account for 40% of the country’s electricity generation.

Additional reporting by Jim Pickard

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