The principal aim of the OECD Environmental Performance Review programme is to help member and selected partner countries improve their individual and collective performance in environmental management by:

Signs

Germany responded swiftly to the global energy crisis and its energy transition is underway. The German economy has weathered the global energy crisis much better than expected at the outset of the crisis. Germany is quickly cutting its dependence on Russian energy and managed to broaden the supply base of its energy. Germany has a legally binding goal to phase out coal by 2038. In the context of Germany’s nuclear exit, renewables need to grow even faster, if the country does not intend to increase its reliance on fossil fuels.

This section presents the main findings of the OECD Environmental Performance Review of Germany. They identify 28 recommendations to help the country make further progress towards its environmental objectives and international commitments. The OECD Working Party on Environmental Performance discussed and approved the Assessment and Recommendations at its meeting on 12 April 2023.

This chapter provides an overview of Germany’s green energy transition, the impact of the global energy crisis, key environmental trends and progress towards net zero. It assesses the environmental effectiveness and economic efficiency of the environmental policy mix, including regulatory and voluntary instruments; fiscal and economic instruments; and public and private investment in environment-related infrastructure. Finally, it examines the interaction between the environment and other policy areas with a view to highlighting opportunities and barriers to environmentally friendly and socially inclusive growth.

This chapter provides an overview of Germany’s exposure and vulnerability to climate risks and related impacts. It highlights the need to better develop nationwide coverage of localised climate risk assessments. The second section offers a comprehensive review of current and planned climate adaptation engagements. It explores different roles and responsibilities for adaptation policy, as well as related financing architecture and measurement frameworks. The third section briefly reviews key drivers behind the deteriorating trends of ecosystem health and biodiversity to then discuss the potential of investments in nature-based solutions to revert this dynamic. Finally, the chapter focuses on building synergy across sectors and through enhanced co-operation at the EU and international levels.