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Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions

- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.

Germany Energy & Process GHG EmissionsMillion Tonnes · 2015–2023

8007006005002015: 772.52016: 784.5Peak2017: 776.32018: 748.72019: 696.12020: 620.62021: 658.32022: 649.22023: 589.4Trough20152017201920212023
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: July 2026

What Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions shows

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 9.2% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Germany from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country’s greenhouse gas emission landscape, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns over the observed period.

Trend

Falling to a series low

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 772.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−23.7%), an average of −3.3% a year. The series high was 784.5 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023.

Volatility

A 24.9% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2023) is 195.1 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −10.8% in 2020.

Structure

Ranks 10 of 36 countries covered

Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Germany ranks 10 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 1.5% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions, 2015–2023, Million Tonnes.
YearMillion TonnesChange vs prior year
2023 Trough589.4 −9.2%
2022 649.2 −1.4%
2021 658.3 +6.1%
2020 620.6 −10.8%
2019 696.1 −7%
2018 748.7 −3.6%
2017 776.3 −1%
2016Peak 784.5 +1.6%
2015 772.5 —

Regional context

How Germany compares in Europe

Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Germany is highlighted.

1Germany
589.4
2Turkey
457.1
3UK
338.5
4Italy
312.7
5France
262.9
6Spain
254.9
7Netherlands
156.5
8Sweden
37.10

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.

Inclusions

The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time.

Exclusions

The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.

About this indicator

Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.

Measured in million tonnes, the dataset represents greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial processes, serving as a key indicator of industrial performance, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability.

Germany recorded 772.50 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, increasing slightly to 784.50 million tonnes in 2016, the highest level during the review period. Emissions eased to 776.30 million tonnes in 2017 and declined further to 748.70 million tonnes in 2018 and 696.10 million tonnes in 2019. A significant reduction occurred in 2020, when emissions dropped to 620.60 million tonnes following lower industrial production and energy demand. Emissions recovered to 658.30 million tonnes in 2021 before moderating to 649.20 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, emissions declined further to 589.40 million tonnes, marking the lowest level across the observed period.

Overall, the dataset reflects a pronounced long-term downward trend with temporary fluctuations driven by economic conditions. Although emissions increased modestly after the pandemic-related decline, the overall trajectory indicates substantial progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across energy and industrial sectors.

The dataset supports assessments of greenhouse gas performance, industrial emissions, and national climate policy implementation. It is valuable for comparative analysis, sustainability monitoring, and long-term environmental planning while providing a dependable basis for forecasting future emission trends. Researchers, policymakers, and industry analysts can utilize the data to evaluate decarbonization progress, assess energy transition strategies, and examine the relationship between industrial activity, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions throughout Germany.

Indicator
Energy & Process GHG Emissions
Country
Germany
Region
Europe
Unit
Million Tonnes
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
July 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

Definition- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.

What was Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions in 2023?

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 9.2% on 2022.

How has Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions changed between 2015 and 2023?

Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 772.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−23.7%), an average of −3.3% a year. The series high was 784.5 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023.

Which year had the highest and lowest Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

The highest value was 784.5 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 589.4 Million Tonnes in 2023.

What does the Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions data include and exclude?

Included: The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.

Where does the Germany Energy & Process GHG Emissions data come from?

The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.

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