Across Europe, emissions from facilities participating in the ETS, the European Union`s carbon pricing scheme, fell by 51%, while in Germany, emissions decreased about 47%, the UBA said.

The system makes high-polluting sectors like power plants and industry buy permits for the carbon emissions they produce.

The pricing of greenhouse gases - which often occurs at both the national and the European level - is intended to incentivize businesses and consumers to transition away from fossil fuels.

According to the UBA, around 9,000 facilities in the energy sector and energy-intensive industries participate. They reportedly account for around 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe.