Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped by about a fifth last year to their lowest level since the 1950s, although the reduction mostly came from stagnant industrial output in Europe’s largest economy rather than improved energy efficiency.

The country emitted 673mn tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023 — or 21 per cent less than the previous year, according to Berlin-based think-tank Agora Energiewende’s annual review of Germany’s energy transition.

Roughly half of this drop, which Agora said reflected a “sharp” decline in coal-fired power generation, could be attributed to a slowdown in German industrial activity. Only 15 per cent stemmed from technology improvements such as greater use of renewable energy.

[DS–This is the “degrowth” agenda]