Largest drop in Germany's emissions in 10 years

Niederaussem, one of Europe's dirtiest coal plants (Source: Clean Energy Wire)

From Clean Energy Wire:

Germany’s CO2 emissions are on course for their largest drop since the 2009 recession this year after remaining virtually unchanged for four consecutive years, according to first estimates by energy market research group AG Energiebilanzen (AGEB). But experts warned the decrease did not yet indicate a trend reversal because it was mainly caused by warmer weather. 

Strong renewable power production and warm temperatures lowered Germany's CO2 emissions by around seven percent in the first nine months of 2018, according to the calculations by energy market research group AG Energiebilanzen (AGEB). If a decrease of this magnitude is sustained throughout the whole year, it would be the sharpest decline since the 2009 recession.

Oil and gas consumption each fell around seven percent in the period from January to September compared to the same period in 2017, while hard coal use dropped almost 13 percent and lignite decreased by almost 2 percent, according to AGEB. In contrast, nuclear power production increased by almost 5 percent and renewable production by around 3 percent. Wind power was up 13 percent and solar added 14 percent, while biomass remained unchanged and hydropower dropped 10 percent.

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Yes, this is due to a warmer than usual summer, but 2019 is likely to be a year of slow (or zero) growth around the world, so the rebound won't be a lot, and meanwhile, the penetration of renewables will continue to increase.