CO2 Footprint Calculator Germany
Work out your yearly CO2 footprint from heating, electricity, car, public transport, flights, diet and consumption, compared with the German average.
Housing
Figure from your heating bill; heating oil: 1 litre ≈ 10 kWh.
Transport
Food
Consumption
Total CO2 Footprint
9.3 t
CO₂ per year
German Average
-4.9 %
Average: 9.8 t CO₂e per year
Breakdown by category
Estimate per person. Factors: grid mix 0.344 kg CO2/kWh (UBA, 2025), green electricity 0.03 kg; natural gas 0.201 kg per kWh net calorific value (BAFA) = 0.182 kg per kWh on the gas bill, heating oil 0.266 kg, district heating 0.28 kg (BAFA flat value, varies widely by network); petrol 2.37 kg/l, diesel 2.65 kg/l; flights incl. non-CO2 effects. Diet and consumption are flat rates; public infrastructure (administration, education, roads, water) is included at 1.1 t as in the UBA CO2 calculator. German average: 9.8 t CO2e (UBA 2026).
Note: These calculations are for informational purposes only and do not replace professional tax or financial advice. All information without guarantee.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average CO2 footprint per person in Germany?
According to the UBA CO2 calculator (2026) the average German footprint is 9.8 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per person per year – below 10 tonnes for the first time. The global average is about 4.7 tonnes. The climate-compatible target is below 1 tonne per person per year.
How can I reduce my CO2 footprint?
The biggest levers are reducing air travel, driving less or switching to electric, eating less meat, reducing energy consumption at home, and choosing green electricity.
Which emission factors does the CO2 calculator use?
For housing, the calculator applies per kWh of heating energy 0.182 kg CO2 for natural gas (0.201 kg per kWh net calorific value according to BAFA, converted to the gross-calorific kWh on the gas bill), 0.266 kg for heating oil and 0.28 kg for district heating; for a heat pump it divides the heat by a seasonal performance factor of 3.4 and rates the electricity. Electricity counts 0.344 kg per kWh with the 2025 grid mix (UBA) or 0.03 kg with green electricity; heating and electricity are split between the people in the household. Petrol counts 2.37 kg and diesel 2.65 kg per litre, a short-haul return flight 0.4 t, a long-haul return flight 3.5 t (both including the RFI factor) and public transport 60 g per kilometre. Diet (0.9–2.4 t) and consumption (1.5–4 t, average 2.5 t) are included as flat amounts, plus 1.1 t for public infrastructure that applies to everyone. So 2,500 kWh of electricity causes 0.86 t of CO2 with the grid mix, but only 0.075 t with green electricity.
Guide
What is the CO2 Footprint Calculator Germany?
The CO2 footprint calculator estimates your personal annual CO2 emissions from housing, transport, diet and consumption – per person and compared with the German average.
How does the CO2 Footprint Calculator Germany work?
Enter your heating type and heating energy, your household's electricity use and number of people, your car's mileage and consumption, public transport kilometres, flights and your diet and consumption style. Heating and electricity are split between the people in the household. The calculator shows CO2 emissions by category, the total footprint per person and the difference from the German average.
Key Data and Facts
Average footprint in Germany: 9.8 t CO2e per person and year (UBA CO2 calculator, 2026): other consumption 2.5 t, mobility 2.1 t, heating 1.9 t, diet 1.6 t, public infrastructure 1.1 t, electricity 0.6 t. A climate-compatible level would be below 1 t per person in the long term. Electricity mix 2025: 344 g CO2/kWh (UBA).
Step-by-Step Guide
How to calculate your CO2 footprint step by step: 1. Housing: enter your household's heating energy in kWh (heating oil: 1 litre ≈ 10 kWh). Factors: natural gas 0.201 kg CO2 per kWh net calorific value (BAFA); because gas bills state kWh based on the gross calorific value, the calculator uses 0.182 kg per billed kWh. Heating oil 0.266 kg/kWh, district heating 0.28 kg/kWh (BAFA flat value, varies widely by network), heat pump: heat ÷ seasonal performance factor 3.4 × electricity factor. Electricity: 0.344 kg CO2/kWh for the German mix 2025 (UBA), green electricity approx. 0.03 kg. Heating and electricity are divided by the number of people in the household. 2. Mobility: enter annual mileage and consumption. Petrol approx. 2.37 kg CO2/litre, diesel approx. 2.65 kg/litre, electric car: kWh × electricity factor. Flights: short-haul return approx. 0.4 t, long-haul approx. 3.5 t (incl. non-CO2 effects, RFI). Public transport: approx. 60 g/km. 3. Diet: lots of meat approx. 2.4 t, some meat approx. 1.7 t, vegetarian approx. 1.2 t, vegan approx. 0.9 t per year. 4. Consumption: clothing, electronics, leisure, services – frugal approx. 1.5 t, average 2.5 t (UBA), high approx. 4 t. 5. Public infrastructure: 1.1 t is attributed to every person. 6. Compare the result: German average 9.8 t CO2e (UBA 2026); a climate-compatible level would be below 1 t per person in the long term.
Calculation Example
Example household of 2 people: gas heating 12,000 kWh (2.19 t) and 2,500 kWh of grid electricity (0.86 t) give 1.52 t per person. Plus car 12,000 km at 7 l/100 km petrol (1.99 t), one short-haul flight (0.4 t) and 5 km of public transport a day (0.11 t) = mobility 2.50 t; some meat 1.7 t, average consumption 2.5 t, public infrastructure 1.1 t. Total: 9.32 t CO2 per person and year, 4.9% below the average of 9.8 t.
Sources
Official sources
Calculations are based on applicable German laws and official data:
- Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz
- Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle (BAFA)
Full methodology at Methodology.
Reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Last updated:
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