Title: Greenhouse gas mitigation in Germany: technical feasibility versus political constraints

Authors: Egbert Laege; Alfred Voss

Addresses: Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart, Hessbruehlstr. 49a, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany ' Institute for Energy Economics and the Rational Use of Energy, University of Stuttgart, Hessbruehlstr. 49a, D-70565 Stuttgart, Germany

Abstract: Model runs for the analysis of the German energy system for a reference development suggest that total emissions can be reduced by 14% relative to 1990 emission levels until the year 2020, even if no explicit mitigation measures are employed. This significant emission reduction is mainly due to the low energy conversion efficiency and the drastic economic shift in the region of former East Germany. The most critical issues for the future development of greenhouse gas emissions are the possible role of nuclear energy and the required use of domestic coal, both of which are mainly determined by political decisions.

Keywords: CO2 mitigation; carbon abatement costs; national response strategies; carbon dioxide; carbon emissions; Germany; greenhouse gases; GHG emissions; nuclear energy; nuclear power; domestic coal.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.1998.071435

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 1998 Vol.11 No.1/2/3/4, pp.118 - 123

Published online: 27 Aug 2015 *

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