North Sea sees warmest year on record as German emissions cuts slow

"Germany's greenhouse gas emission cuts slowed sharply in 2025 as the North Sea experienced its warmest year on record, piling pressure Wednesday on the conservative-led government to boost climate protection efforts. Emissions in Europe's largest economy fell by just 1.5 percent from the previous year, according to a study by climate think tank Agora Energiewende, lower than the three-percent drop in 2024 and 10 percent the year before that."

"If the current trend continues, Germany risks failing to hit its medium-term goal of cutting emissions by 65 percent compared to 1990 levels by 2030, said Julia Blaesius, the think tank's Germany director. "Germany is losing ground on climate protection," Blaesius told a press conference. "The 2030 target is still achievable, but it's subject to major uncertainties." When burnt, fossil fuels emit greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide that trap heat near the Earth's surface, driving climate change and global temperature rises."

Germany's greenhouse gas emissions fell by only 1.5 percent in 2025, a marked slowdown from prior years' declines. The reduced pace jeopardizes progress toward a 65 percent emissions cut by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The North Sea registered its warmest year on record in 2025, reaching an average temperature of 11.6C, the highest since 1969. Experts warn that continued trends create major uncertainties for the 2030 goal. Political choices by the conservative-led government and coalition policies are attracting criticism for undermining climate protection while prioritizing economic relief. Fossil fuel combustion remains a principal source of greenhouse gases.

Read at The Local Germany