Integrated strategies to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions in Germany

Abstract

Even though the issue of climate change is a topic of global relevance, there is a need for the development and assessment of mitigation strategies on national levels. A country study for Germany proposes that 50% CO 2 emission cuts until the year 2020 are technically feasible with technologies that are already available or are known to become available in the next 30 years. Nevertheless, results are strongly dependent on the political restrictions that are imposed on certain energy technologies. The enhanced use of combined heat and power production, the activation of large amounts of energy saving potentials, and renewable energy carriers will make the biggest contributions for the proposed emission reduction aim. Without politically induced constraints on the option of nuclear energy this technology can reduce CO 2 emissions even without increasing the costs of energy supply.