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CO2 reduction

Carbon dioxide emissions have a grave impact on the climate. If we want to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit), the world must drastically reduce CO2 emissions.

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All Content on this topic

A road sign in London marking the ULEZ

A road sign in London marking the ULEZ

London expands ULEZ toll zone for polluting vehicles

The Ultra-Low Emission Zone will see people throughout London charged to drive more polluting vehicles in the capital.

Großbritannien | Verkehr | Umweltzonen in London

Großbritannien | Verkehr | Umweltzonen in London

London expands Ultra Low Emission Zone

Owners of non-compliant vehicles must now pay £12.50 per day to drive anywhere in London.

Europe map with plains and short destinations

Europe map with plains and short destinations

Are short-haul flight bans just nonsense?

Some countries in Europe have begun to ban short-haul flights to cut their emissions. Will others follow?

Smoke rising from an oil refinery

Smoke rising from an oil refinery

Is carbon offsetting a multibillion dollar scam?

We look at how the carbon offsetting market is booming, despite criticism and increasing scrutiny.

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Why Maersk is investing millions in methanol-fueled ships?

Maersk is investing in 19 new container ships fueled with methanol. Is it a serious investment in the future?

A woman holding seaweed in her hand

A woman holding seaweed in her hand

Restoring seagrass beds for climate protection

A new project in Kiel hopes to combat climate change by restoring beds of seagrass in the Baltic Sea.

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

DW "Global Us" Sendungslogo Composite

What do we do about the climate crisis?

What do we do about the climate crisis? Insights from Brazil, Belize and South Africa.

Run by Swiss company Climeworks, Orca facility in Iceland sucks carbon dioxide directly from the air and buries it as rocks deep underground

Run by Swiss company Climeworks, Orca facility in Iceland sucks carbon dioxide directly from the air and buries it as rocks deep underground

US takes $1.2 billion gamble on carbon-sucking vacuums

The US government will spend $1.2 billion to help build giant machines that suck carbon from the air.

Made

Made

What is the hydrogen engine good for?

Do hydrogen engines have a future? Where is the emissions-free drive suitable and where not?

Sign reading "The price for the future. In order that the environment also has a future" is pictured next to vegan schnitzels

Sign reading "The price for the future. In order that the environment also has a future" is pictured next to vegan schnitzels

German supermarket charges 'true cost' of foods

The discount supermarket chain Penny is selling nine products for a price that reflects their impact on the environment.

Nigeria E-Cargo Bikes

Nigeria E-Cargo Bikes

E-cargo bikes in Nigeria reduce carbon emissions

In Nigeria, e-cargo bikes made locally are helping traders to cut transport costs.

A man bathes in a fountain in Bucharest, Romania, on a hot afternoon, July 25

A man bathes in a fountain in Bucharest, Romania, on a hot afternoon, July 25

July set to be the warmest on record

Scientists confirmed July was on track to be the world’s hottest month ever recorded.

A boy cools off at Fontana della Barcaccia at the Spanish Steps during a heat wave across Italy

A boy cools off at Fontana della Barcaccia at the Spanish Steps during a heat wave across Italy

NASA warns July 2023 likely to be warmest month on record

NASA scientists believe there is a "50-50 chance" that 2023 will be the hottest year on record.

A close up of a man in a yellow jacket holding a scoop of cement mix at French company Hoffmann Green Cement

A close up of a man in a yellow jacket holding a scoop of cement mix at French company Hoffmann Green Cement

Greening cement

How did a French startup cut down the CO2 footprint of its cement?

People carrying umbrellas to protect against the sun are seen walking in front of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing.

People carrying umbrellas to protect against the sun are seen walking in front of the Forbidden Palace in Beijing.

Climate diplomacy amid simmering tensions and temperatures

The US and China are trying revive efforts to address the climate crisis, which are becoming ever more urgent.

Aerial view of Crawford Lake, Canada; water surrounded by thick forest

Aerial view of Crawford Lake, Canada; water surrounded by thick forest

Anthropocene: Geological evidence of human life

Geologists say they have evidence that we've left a permanent mark on Earth, despite our relatively short existence.

A view of the Rehden Geest Moor, a swampy piece of land covered with vegetation, with an orange sun low on the horizon

A view of the Rehden Geest Moor, a swampy piece of land covered with vegetation, with an orange sun low on the horizon

Farmers revolt against EU's historic nature restoration law

Farmers fear they will lose out after the EU passes a bill to promote biodiversity and sustainable land and soil use.

Wind turbines behind a coal mine in Germany

Wind turbines behind a coal mine in Germany

How fast is Germany cutting its greenhouse gas emissions?

Europe's biggest polluter is ditching targets in its climate law to cut emissions in individual sectors.

Smoke coming from a ship's funnel

Smoke coming from a ship's funnel

Climate: Landmark shipping deal aims to cut emissions faster

The UN's maritime agency announced an agreement to reach net zero emissions from the shipping industry by about 2050.

DW MADE- Sendung 04.7.2023

DW MADE- Sendung 04.7.2023

How green are ships that run on methanol?

Maersk is investing in ships that run on methanol. But is it really an eco-friendly alternative?

A coal plant in Germany

A coal plant in Germany

The best way to capture carbon and store it

Carbon capture technology is needed to clean up some heavy industries — but today it is mainly used to extract more oil.

Shopping cart with many technical devices

Shopping cart with many technical devices

Do we need degrowth to save ourselves and the planet?

Climate activists and policy makers argue that reducing global economic activity is the only way to save the planet.

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

DW REV Sendungslogo Composite

REV – The Auto and Mobility Show

Highway speeding, drift hunters in Nigeria, matatu surfing in Kenya, love of cars in India

REV: EX Speeding

REV: EX Speeding

Speeding on German autobahns

Driving at 250 km/h on the autobahn - why is it that proper Germans love to speed?

The environmental cost of summer holidays

The German tourism industry is trying to adapt to climate change.

Rupert Stadler, former CEO of German car manufacturer Audi, sits in the regional court room and waits for the verdict in Munich, Germany

Rupert Stadler, former CEO of German car manufacturer Audi, sits in the regional court room and waits for the verdict in Munich, Germany

Ex-Audi boss given suspended sentence in 'dieselgate' case

Rupert Stadler is the highest-ranking executive convicted over the VW emissions-cheating scandal.

A man walks on cracked and dried up soil in southern Iraq

A man walks on cracked and dried up soil in southern Iraq

Climate: Bonn talks dominated by finance, global stocktake

After climate talks centered on finance and equity, focus is now on COP28 and the first global stocktake.

Off-shore wind farm

Off-shore wind farm

How will the EU reach its 2040 climate targets?

The EU’s climate advisory board has recommended the bloc adopt ambitious targets for 2040.

DW Dokumentationen | Hightech für das Klima

DW Dokumentationen | Hightech für das Klima

Climate crisis: Can high-tech save the planet?

Can high-tech solutions help protect the climate?

Spanien Puertollano Wasserstoff-Produktion durch Iberdrola

Spanien Puertollano Wasserstoff-Produktion durch Iberdrola

Producing hydrogen at thermal power stations

Excess wind energy can produce green hydrogen to heat homes.

DW Thumbnail | Untapped electricity

DW Thumbnail | Untapped electricity

In-pipe energy: The hydro power nobody is talking about

Pipe turbine technology converts the flow of the water into electricity in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way.

Fires burn in bombed out buildings

Fires burn in bombed out buildings

Climate another casualty of the war in Ukraine

The war's carbon footprint is similar to the entire emissions of Belgium, conflict emission experts say.

Activists of the "Letzte Generation" (Last Generation) are moved by police officers as they block a road

Activists of the "Letzte Generation" (Last Generation) are moved by police officers as they block a road

Climate activists protest by any means

With their disruptive protests, environmental activists from the group Last Generation are polarizing society.

Firefighter trying to extinguish a blaze during wildfires in Greece

Firefighter trying to extinguish a blaze during wildfires in Greece

COP28: Little optimism as climate talks start in Bonn

Negotiators are meeting for the first time since an agreement to pay for some of the damage caused by extreme weather.

An aerial view of the beach at Warnemünde in Germany

An aerial view of the beach at Warnemünde in Germany

Can Germany's tourism industry become climate neutral?

The tourism industry as a whole has a long way to go to reduce their carbon footprint.

A person cycling on a bike path

A person cycling on a bike path

In a boost for bikes, cities back sustainable mobility

European cities are increasingly following the Dutch model, creating more space for cycling. But not everyone is happy.

Nigeria's first 3D-printed race car

Bola Bolarin has designed Nigeria's first locally-made race car using 3D printing technology.

Commuters in Germany waiting for public transport

Commuters in Germany waiting for public transport

How can governments help people cut their carbon footprint?

People in rich countries can lead clean lives quicker if governments make it easy for them to ditch dirty habits.

A person rides a bike in an empty bike lane next to a row of stopped cars

A person rides a bike in an empty bike lane next to a row of stopped cars

Growing demand for travel poses green transport challenge

To meet climate goals, cars, planes, trains and shipping need to become move away from fossil fuels rapidly.

DW Made in Germany | Solar

DW Made in Germany | Solar

The best places to put solar panels

How the clever placement of solar panels can solve more problems than one.

Geothermal energy production in Kenya

Geothermal energy production in Kenya

Tapping the Earth's heat for energy

Geothermal energy is seen as a clean, renewable and readily-available source of energy. Kenya has tapped into it

DW Sendung Made in Germany | Windkraft DEU

DW Sendung Made in Germany | Windkraft DEU

Good ideas for fewer emissions

Whether it’s cement production or building electric bike trailers, the economy has to switch to green energy. But how?

Fast car and no speed limit sign

Fast car and no speed limit sign

The real reason Germans won't stop speeding

Germany could cut millions of tonnes of CO2 per year if it implemented a speed limit.

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

DW Eco India (Sendungslogo Composite)

How to avoid more carbon dioxide

Innovative ideas and solutions on how we can reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

An aircraft is dwarfed by the rising sun in Frankfurt

An aircraft is dwarfed by the rising sun in Frankfurt

Climate change: How can we make flying greener?

Biofuels, alternative flight routes and newer, green aircraft technology can make flying better for the environment.

Clouds coming from the chimneys of a coal-fired power plant in Niederaussem in Germany. Undated archive image.

Clouds coming from the chimneys of a coal-fired power plant in Niederaussem in Germany. Undated archive image.

EU members approve carbon market scheme, other climate laws

The new climate change-related laws would would create financial incentives for keeping emissions in check.

The Dry Fork Station power plant outside of Gilette, Wyoming, seen from afar

The Dry Fork Station power plant outside of Gilette, Wyoming, seen from afar

US coal capital seeks greener future

The US government wants to turn domestic coalfields into green-energy centers. But those affected aren't buying in.

A woman eats fries and a hamburger at a fast food restaurant

A woman eats fries and a hamburger at a fast food restaurant

It’s not easy being green: Offsets explained

Offsets have come under fire as a way for companies to compensate for carbon emissions through eco projects elsewhere.

Fatih Birol

Fatih Birol

IEA chief slams climate 'contradictions' from oil companies

International Energy Agency boss Fatih Birol tells DW that existing fossil fuel exploitations are "more than enough."

Niederlande, Amsterdam | Flughafen Schiphol

Niederlande, Amsterdam | Flughafen Schiphol

Dutch court blocks plans to cut Schiphol Airport flights

A Dutch court rejected plans to cap flights at Schiphol airport, halting effort to reduce emissions and noise pollution.