Germany able to reduce emissions by 80 % by 2050
Germany could slash carbon dioxide emissions by 80 % by the year 2050 compared with 1990 emissions, a study by the
country's environment ministry said.
"But, in order to reach this aim, renewable energies have to be expanded further," said the ministry, "and energy
overall has to be used more efficiently." But the ministry said the target could be reached without the use of
nuclear power.
The current German government plans to double the share of renewable energies in electricity production to 12.5 % by
2010 and then up the share to 50 % by 2050.
The study said the share of combined heat and power plants would have to be increased, and that more money would also
have to be put into the development of fuel cells.