Greenhouse gas reduction quota - What's behind it?

In the fight against climate change, there are many measures that companies and countries must take to reduce their CO2 emissions. One important method is the greenhouse gas reduction quota (TMQ). But what exactly does this term mean and how does it affect our everyday lives?

The greenhouse gas reduction quota is a fixed target that specifies how much CO2 and other greenhouse gases companies must reduce. This quota is mainly applied in areas such as energy and transport, i.e. where a lot of CO2 is emitted. The idea behind it is to encourage companies to reduce their CO2 emissions through various measures. These include expanding renewable energies, improving energy efficiency and developing new technologies.

Why is this important? Quite simply, climate change requires a drastic reduction in greenhouse gases, and the greenhouse gas reduction quota is a tool to systematically achieve this goal. It forces companies to make their business models sustainable and to continuously reduce CO2 emissions.

But how does it actually work? Each company is allocated a certain amount of emissions that it may not exceed. If a company now emits less CO2 than permitted, it can sell the surplus quantity of emission rights or use them in the coming years. Conversely, companies that exceed their quota must pay "penalties" or invest in more climate-friendly projects.

This may sound complicated for private individuals at first. But we also benefit indirectly from this quota. It helps to ensure that the companies we buy products and services from make their processes more climate-friendly. This will improve the overall emissions balance and slow down climate change.

The greenhouse gas reduction quota is therefore a crucial tool for achieving climate targets and restructuring the economy in a sustainable way. It is part of a comprehensive strategy that shows how everyone - from companies to individuals - can contribute to combating climate change.