Germany, known for its strong commitment to renewable energy and sustainability, has made significant strides in reducing its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in recent years. According to a recent report, Germany’s CO2 emissions decreased by 10% in 2020, marking the largest annual decline in over a decade. This reduction can be attributed to the country’s shift away from coal and nuclear power towards cleaner energy sources.
One of the key factors contributing to Germany’s decrease in CO2 emissions is the country’s decision to phase out coal-fired power plants. Coal has long been a major source of energy in Germany, but the government has been working towards reducing its reliance on this fossil fuel in order to meet its climate goals. As a result, several coal-fired power plants have been shut down in recent years, leading to a significant decrease in CO2 emissions.
In addition to phasing out coal, Germany has also been reducing its reliance on nuclear power. Following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, the German government decided to accelerate the phase-out of nuclear power in the country. This decision has also contributed to the decrease in CO2 emissions, as nuclear power is a low-carbon energy source.
With the reduction in coal and nuclear power, Germany has been focusing on expanding its gas networks as a cleaner alternative. Natural gas is considered a more environmentally friendly option compared to coal and oil, as it produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions when burned. By investing in gas infrastructure and increasing the use of natural gas for power generation, Germany aims to further reduce its CO2 emissions in the coming years.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Australia is considering the possibility of introducing nuclear energy as a way to reduce its own CO2 emissions. Australia is one of the largest per capita emitters of CO2 in the world, largely due to its reliance on coal for electricity generation. In recent years, there has been growing debate about the potential role of nuclear power in Australia’s energy mix as a cleaner alternative to coal.
Proponents of nuclear energy argue that it is a low-carbon energy source that can help reduce CO2 emissions and provide a reliable source of baseload power. However, opponents raise concerns about the safety and environmental risks associated with nuclear power, as well as the challenges of managing radioactive waste.
As Australia continues to explore its options for reducing CO2 emissions and transitioning to cleaner energy sources, the example set by Germany serves as a valuable case study. By phasing out coal and nuclear power and investing in cleaner alternatives like natural gas, Germany has demonstrated that it is possible to make significant progress towards reducing CO2 emissions while maintaining a reliable energy supply. It remains to be seen whether Australia will follow suit and make similar changes to its energy mix in the coming years.
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- Source: https://zephyrnet.com/germanys-co2-off-10-coal-nuclear-down-gas-networks-next-oz-debates-nuclear-cleantechnica/