Germany won't meet 2020 emissions target as coal replaces nuclear
Germany is unlikely to achieve its 2020 emission-reduction targets because it is replacing baseload power from nuclear facilities with coal-burning plants, according to analysis by Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Germany decided to phase out its dependence on nuclear energy following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, forcing the nation to depend more heavily on coal. As a result, Germany's CO2 emissions won't fall fast enough to meet its obligations under the Paris climate accords, even though it generates almost 50% of its energy from renewable sources.
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Decision after Fukushima disaster has helped coal plants

Chance of more government action grows as 2020 target looms

German nuclear, coal generation and emissions

Source: Bloomberg New Energy Finance

Germany’s nuclear phaseout, brought about by Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2011 after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, has left the country unable to wean itself off of the dirty coal and lignite power produced by the likes of RWE, Uniper and EnBW. With the anticipated nuclear closings through 2023, the country needs to keep the firm capacity provided by coal to guarantee security of supply. As a result, Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects it will not meet its 2020 emissions target, despite nearly 50% of generating capacity being wind and solar. As it becomes more apparent the target will be missed, and given the precedent of the lignite reserve, the risk of further intervention grows.

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