Germany - GMP Methane Action Update (September 2024)
Germany joined the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) in 2021 at COP26 to increase action on methane emissions reduction also at the international level. As GMP Champion, Germany promotes action on methane together with countries that have joined the GMP or are willing to do so.
In 2023, methane emissions in Germany amounted to 44.8 million tonnes of CO2(eq) excluding and 51.3 million tonnes including the LULUCF sector. Methane accounted for 6.6% of total GHG emissions (excluding LULUCF) in Germany in 2023, making it the second most important GHG in the German GHG balance after CO2 (with a share of 88.7%). The most important sectors by source category are agriculture (67%), LULUCF (13%), energy (9%) and waste (7%).
Key actions and achievements to date
Between 1990 and 2020, methane emissions in Germany were significantly reduced from 133.6 million tons of CO2 (eq) (excluding LULUCF) to 47.9 million tons. While overall GHG emissions fell by around 41% during this period, methane emissions were reduced by 64%. The waste sector (reduction of 88%) played a major role, particularly due to the ban on landfilling municipal waste. In the energy sector (down by 88%), the reduction was achieved, among other things, by ending hard coal mining and the complete use of coal mine methane. Therefore, a significant reduction potential in the energy and waste sector has already been tapped.
Germany’s efforts to tackle methane emissions are embedded in the European climate and energy framework. The EU-NDC update is in progress. A key milestone of EU policy is the EU-Methane regulation, in force since 5th August 2024, which requires operators of fossil fuel infrastructure for oil, gas, and coal within the EU with compulsory monitoring, lead detection and repairs to act on methane. It furthermore addresses oil, gas, and coal imports to the EU making on-site leak detection and measurement compulsory by 2027 for all production sites exporting to the EU. By 2030 a maximum intensity standard for fossil fuel products will apply. This is a major milestone for climate action. To accompany the regulation Germany has in 2023 provided 20 Mio Euros of financial support to UNEP’s International Methane Emission Observatory and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to support data transparency and methane reductions.
Plans for the future
In addition to European targets and related policy instruments, Germany has defined the domestic reduction path of greenhouse gases in the Federal Climate Change Act. The act stipulates that all greenhouse gas emissions, which includes methane, are to be reduced by at least 65% by 2030 and by at least 88% by 2040 (relative to the emission levels of 1990) in order to become greenhouse gas neutral by 2045. After 2050, the greenhouse gas balance is to be negative. Especially addressing the residual methane emissions will be a challenge that needs to be tackled in the nearer future.
