The industry sector accounts for 18% of overall Czech emissions, with this being split between energy use (7%) and industrial processes (11%). After the fall of the Soviet Union and the associated decline in industrial activity in former Soviet states, emissions from the industry sector in Czechia dropped drastically. They have since continued to fall, albeit at a slower pace.
In 2019, energy-related industrial emissions were 68% lower than 1990 levels, having fallen from 50.3 MtCO₂/yr to 16 MtCO₂/yr.4 To be 1.5°C compatible, these CO₂ emissions need to be further reduced by around three quarters below 2019 levels by 2030. This will mainly be achieved by replacing fossil fuels with electricity, hydrogen, and biomass, which, together, should increase their share from 39% in 2019 to 62-67% by 2030 and 74-76% by 2050. In its National Energy and Climate Plan, the government says it intends to improve energy efficiency in production processes.2
In 2019, emissions from industrial processes contributed 16 MtCO₂e to Czechia’s total emissions. Although this figure was 9% below 1990 levels, this drop primarily occurred in the early 1990s, with emissions remaining largely stable since then. 1.5°C compatible pathways require process-related emissions to fall to between 7-10 MtCO₂e/yr by 2030. Three main levers can be used to reduce these emissions; decommissioning gasworks gas production, phasing out coal, and increasing electrification of the sector.13
1 European Environment Agency. EEA greenhouse gases – data viewer. 2021.
2 Government of Czech Republic. National Energy and Climate Plan of the Czech Republic. 2019.
3 IEA. World Energy Balances 2020. 2020.
4 Government of Czechia. Czechia.2021 Common Reporting Format (CRF) Table. 2021.
5 Mahe, S. France, Czech Republic and others push for nuclear in EU’s green investment rules. Reuters. 2021.
6 International Energy Agency (IEA). Czech Republic 2021: Energy Policy Review. 2021.
7 Gilbert, A., Sovacool, B. K., Johnstone, P. & Stirling, A. Cost overruns and financial risk in the construction of nuclear power reactors: A critical appraisal. Energy Policy 102, 644–649. 2017.
8 Eash-Gates, P. et al. Sources of Cost Overrun in Nuclear Power Plant Construction Call for a New Approach to Engineering Design. Joule 4, 2348–2373. 2020.
9 Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic. Climate Protection Policy of the Czech Republic: Executive Summary 2017. 2017.
10 European Commission. Assessment of the final national energy and climate plan of Czechia. 2020.
11 Ember. Vision or division?: what do National Energy and Climate Plans tell us about the EU power sector in 2030? 2020.
12 Government of Czech Republic. The Czech Republic’s Hydrogen Strategy. 2021.
13 McKinsey & Company. Pathways to decarbonize the Czech Republic: Carbon-neutral Czech Republic 2050. 2020.
14 Ponikelska, L. Czech Leader Demands Big Changes to EU Green Deal Over Cars. Bloomberg. 2021.
Czech Republicʼs energy mix in the industry sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biomass
- Biogas
- Biofuel
- Electricity
- Heat
- Hydrogen
Czech Republicʼs industry sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- High energy demand - Low CDR reliance
- SSP1 Low CDR reliance
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
Czech Republicʼs GHG emissions from industrial processes
MtCO₂e/yr
- SSP1 Low CDR reliance
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
- High energy demand - Low CDR reliance
- Historical emissions
1.5°C compatible industry sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions, direct electrification rates, and combined shares of electricity, hydrogen and biomass from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for Czech Republic
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised industry sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 16 | 4 | 0 to 1 | 0 | 2034 to 2038 |
Relative to reference year in % | −78 to −77% | −98 to −96% | −99% |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 32 | 49 to 52 | 62 to 63 | 63 to 69 |
Share of electricity, hydrogren and biomass Percent | 39 | 62 to 67 | 73 to 83 | 74 to 76 |