LUMES Lund University International Master’s Programme in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science CO2 Emission Reduction in the German Household

A shift in the German energy system which is mainly fuelled by imported fossil fuels has to be achieved over the next decades. Reasons for that are not just the insecurity of supply but mainly environmental problems such as climate change and legal commitments, demanding a decrease of emissions in the energy sector which is the main emitter of CO2. A reduction of CO2 emissions in this sector is highly based on the supply by renewable energy sources (RES) and a strong reduction of the energy consumption. Till 2050 (the time-frame of this research) a global CO2 reduction of 50 % is strongly advised by several reports (Enquete, Stern, IPCC). In the same time respecting development trends in production, consume and population in developing countries and acknowledging that the recent tremendous share of emission comes from industrial countries, further advices are aiming for a reduction of 80 % in developed countries (e.g. Germany) within the same timeframe. This can just be reached with a major supply by RES and with a reduction on the demand side of 50%. The building sector in Germany accounts for about half of the national energy consumption (48%) on the demand side and is consequently the biggest CO2 emitter. Compared to the other hugely emitting sectors (transport with 27 % and industry with 25%) the building sector has very likely the highest feasible potentia