Determining climate protection potentials in the circular economy for Germany and the EU : partial report Germany

Climate protection potentials of the circular economy are determined holistically by means of the life cycle assessment method of waste management in this study. It includes emissions from all waste treatments as well as the benefits from the generation of secondary raw materials and energy and the...
Ausführliche Beschreibung

Climate protection potentials of the circular economy are determined holistically by means of the life cycle assessment method of waste management in this study. It includes emissions from all waste treatments as well as the benefits from the generation of secondary raw materials and energy and the resulting possible substitution of primary products. For Germany and the EU, the given greenhouse gas mitigation potential is shown for the base year 2017, and for the target year 2030, it is outlined how contributions can also be achieved in the future. In addition to municipal solid waste, food waste is considered in more detail as a special balance, and industrial and commercial waste as well as construction and demolition waste are considered roughly. Also considered are possibilities to include preparation for re-use and waste prevention. This partial report presents the results for Germany. All balance areas show GHG emission savings potentials in the net result. In the 2030 scenarios, these are declining due to the defossilisation of the energy system. This effect, which necessarily occurs with increasing implementation of the climate protection targets that urgently need to be achieved, is counteracted by waste management optimisation measures. Conclusion is that important climate protection potentials still exist. Joint efforts are needed to support ambitious targets for increasing separate collection and recycling. This applies to a greater extent at the EU level, in parallel with measures for a rapid end to landfilling. Ausführliche Beschreibung