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Germany's Climate Goals Slip as North Sea Warms Record High
7 Jan
Summary
- German emissions cut slowed to 1.5% in 2025, far below previous years.
- North Sea recorded its warmest year on record in 2025, reaching 11.6C.
- Germany risks missing its 2030 climate target if current trends continue.
Germany's greenhouse gas emission cuts decelerated sharply in 2025, falling to just 1.5% from the prior year. This trend puts the nation at risk of failing its medium-term goal to reduce emissions by 65% compared to 1990 levels by 2030. The think tank Agora Energiewende highlighted that while the target remains achievable, significant uncertainties persist.
Compounding these concerns, the North Sea registered its warmest year on record in 2025, with an average temperature of 11.6C. This environmental shift adds pressure on the current government, which has faced criticism for policies perceived as detrimental to climate protection efforts, such as plans to water down the combustion-engine car ban.
