For mitigating GHG emissions, in addition to the decarbonization of electricity generation and electrification of end-use, efficient energy use and energy savings are very important, as they make it much easier to achieve climate targets.
Some of the potential efficiency gains simply result from switching to much more efficient electricity-based technologies. For example, both e-cars and heat pumps require 3-5 times less final energy than conventional combustion processes for the same services.
Increasing efficiency is also reasonable in industry, e.g. in industrial processes (energy and material efficiency) and due to an improved circular economy that reduces energy consumption by extending the life cycle of products and relying more on recycling.
In addition, lifestyle changes and social innovations can also play an important role in climate protection. The energy transition becomes much easier if lifestyles and consumption patterns are more sustainability oriented: for example, through more frequent use of local and long-distance public transport instead of motorized private transport, a turn away from ever-increasing and increasingly unevenly distributed living space per capita, or a reduction in the consumption of animal products. This is not just about “abstention”: numerous studies have demonstrated significant benefits of such social innovations and lifestyle changes - for example, reductions in air pollution and noise pollution in cities and the benefits of reduced meat consumption for human health.
However, it is important that these lifestyle changes are enabled and encouraged by appropriate policy frameworks. This is particularly true for mobility infrastructures, such as expanding public transport services and promoting cycling.
Annual energy demand in end-use sectors, mainly transport, industry, commerce, and households. Primary energy use in the energy industry sector is not included.
In addition to the switch to renewables, the more efficient use of energy is an essential step toward achieving climate neutrality. Total final energy demand can provide an indication of whether efficiency gains are being achieved.
The indicator describes the annual final energy demand of the entire transport sector, i.e. in particular the demand for petrol, diesel, kerosene and, with increasing electrification of the sector, more and more electricity. Energy demand for both passenger and freight transportation is included.
Over the past three decades, the annual final energy demand in the transport sector has remained constant. It fell significantly in the first year of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 due to the reduced mobility of people and a significant reduction in the transportation of goods. In the following years, final energy demand rose again.
Annual final energy demand of the buildings sector (private households and trade, commerce and services), in particular for space heating and hot water, but also for lighting, information and communication technology, for example.
Since 2015, there has been an almost constant trend in final energy demand in the buildings sector. While there has been a slight decline in final energy demand in the trade, commerce and services sector - especially during the energy crisis in 2022 - the final energy demand of private households has increased slightly.
The final annual energy demand of private households in relation to floor space serves as an indicator for the development of the energetic quality of buildings.
In recent years, an almost constant trend in final energy demand per floor space has been observed. However, the Ariadne scenarios give an indication that the specific final energy demand has to decrease significantly for target compatibility (by about -20% by 2030 and by about -50% by 2045).
This indicator shows physical steel production in the secondary route (scrap-based). It is therefore also an indicator for increased circular economy.
Steel is produced in Germany predominantly in two processes: Primarily in the coal-based blast furnace route and secondarily in the scrap-based EAF (electric arc) route. Substitution of the GHG-emission-intensive blast furnace route is an important prerequisite for influencing the indicators "Oil, coal and natural gas consumption in industry" and "Energy and process-related GHG emissions of the industrial sector" in terms of target achievement.
This indicator shows the final energy demand of the industrial sector measured in terms of gross domestic product. Decreasing values can indicate efficiency improvements.
This indicator is calculated as the ratio of final energy demand and gross domestic product. High values reflect high energy intensity - usually found in basic industries (high energy input, low value of the product). Decreasing values can indicate increasing energy and material efficiency or an increase in the value of the products. However, it also indicates a shift from basic industries (crude steel, basic chemicals) to further processing of products (mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals).