German climate goals at risk as emissions cuts slow: study

January 07, 2026 / 10:53 AM

A man rides a bicycle in a snow-covered park along the banks of the river Main in Frankfurt am Main, western Germany

Sharjah24 - AFP: Germany’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions slowed further in 2025, putting the country’s climate targets at risk, according to a study by the think tank Agora Energiewende.

Slowing emissions reductions

The study showed that emissions fell by 1.5 percent compared to the previous year, down from a three percent reduction in 2024 and a 10 percent drop the year before. Germany aims to cut emissions by 65 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, but Agora warned that the current pace would leave a shortfall unless reductions accelerate sharply from 2026 onwards.

Sectoral trends

The decline in emissions in 2025 was largely driven by reduced activity in energy-intensive industries and record solar power generation. However, emissions from transport and buildings rose again, reflecting limited progress in the shift to electric vehicles and heat pumps. The energy sector delivered fewer reductions due to weak wind conditions, while colder weather increased fossil fuel use for heating.

Policy pressures

Total emissions stood at 640 million tonnes in 2025, nine million tonnes lower than the previous year, bringing overall reductions to 49 percent compared to 1990. The findings are expected to intensify scrutiny of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s climate policies, which critics say risk undermining emissions targets despite some positive momentum in electric vehicle and heat pump adoption.