威力彩玩法

A growing population and the economic boom pushed up Germany鈥檚 total energy use by almost one percent last year, but the country鈥檚 CO2 emissions likely stagnated due to the rising share of renewables and an increase in gas use, according to energy market group AG Energiebilanzen (AGEB). Energy-related CO2 emissions 鈥渞ose marginally at most,鈥� according to AGEB鈥檚 press release. In its more detailed review of the past year, AGEB says emissions could have even decreased slightly 鈥渋n a best case scenario.鈥� The group had said in November that preliminary calculations suggested that emissions would 鈥渞ise slightly鈥� in 2017.

A strong rise in wind and solar power output pushed up renewable energy production by more than 6 percent, the AGEB calculations show. Gas consumption also rose by around 6 percent, because it was increasingly used for power generation. In contrast, hard coal use dropped by more than eleven percent, while lignite use decreased by a mere 0.6 percent.

Find the press release in German .

For background, read the 威力彩玩法 article Germany鈥檚 energy use and emissions likely to rise yet again in 2017.

Germany鈥檚 experiences with its energy transition have made the country a global leader in the shift from fossil fuels to renewables, but many of its neighbours are not satisfied with the way Europe鈥檚 biggest economy exercises this leadership, business weekly The Economist reports. Its reliance on natural gas as a substitute for coal and nuclear power 鈥� including the controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline 鈥� and its poor coordination with surrounding states in launching its renewable energy policy are just two factors alienating Germany from its neighbours in terms of energy policy, the article says.

Find the article in English .

See the 威力彩玩法 dossier Germany鈥檚 energy transition in the European context for more information.

The debate over driving bans for diesel cars and the ongoing diesel emissions fraud scandal involving German carmakers have hit the technology鈥檚 image hard. Only 13 percent of respondents in a survey said they would now opt for a diesel car, Focus Online reports. In the survey commissioned by Targobank, 52 percent said they would buy a car with a petrol engine and 15 percent said they would buy a hybrid model, overtaking diesel for the first time, the article says. Only five percent said they would buy a fully electric car. Price and range continue to be the most important criteria for potential buyers, while sustainability ranks third, Focus Online says. Nearly 90 percent of respondents said they believed the dieselgate scandal primarily hurts ordinary customers and nearly as many rejected the idea of using tax money to retrofit manipulated diesel cars. One in two respondents said they believed diesel driving bans will ultimately be implemented but almost half also said they do not think this measure is appropriate.

Find the article in German .听

See the 威力彩玩法 dieselgate timeline and the Q&A on diesel driving bans for more information.

The state parliament in the northern German wind-power state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (MWP) has proposed a real estate tax for renewable energy installations that should be introduced across the entire country, Frank Pubantz writes in the Ostsee Zeitung. 鈥淢unicipalities could be compensated for the visual impact of wind turbines and other renewables on their land,鈥� Pubantz writes, adding that industry representatives reject the measure. State parliamentarian Franz-Robert Liskow of the conservative CDU says MWP should endorse the tax in the federal economy minister conference and strive for a nationwide implementation 鈥渨ithin three to four years.鈥� The politician argues the already existing business tax on renewables would only pay off for municipalities after several years, whereas a real estate tax 鈥渂enefits municipalities right after construction is finished.鈥�