Germany's greenhouse gas emissions reductions exceeded expectations in 2020 The epidemic was the main cause

According to an analysis, Germany's greenhouse gas emissions reductions in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic exceeded the original target
.

According to an analysis published Monday by German think tank Agora Energiewende, Germany's greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 were 42.
3 percent lower than in the 1990 base year, exceeding the target
of a 40 percent reduction.

According to preliminary statistics from Agora Energiewende, two-thirds of the reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in Germany was caused
by the impact of the Covid-19 crisis and the associated decline in energy consumption, industrial production and transport.

The analysis found that without the Covid-19 effect, Germany's CO2 emissions would have fallen by only 37.
8%, slightly below the 2020 emissions target
set by the state.

Patrick Graichen, executive director of Agora Energiewende, said in a statement: "By 2020, real climate protection effects will only be achieved in the power sector, where the reduction in CO2 is attributed to the replacement of coal
with natural gas and renewable energy.
”

Graichen added: "Once the economy picks up, transport and industry will again emit more greenhouse gases
.
”