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German GreenTech industry contributes to economic transformation
The German GreenTech industry grew significantly faster than traditional industries between 2010 and 2023, is strongly integrated into global trade and is in many areas a driver of innovation. This means that the GreenTech industry is not only important for the climate and the environment, but also an essential part of the German economy. The German GreenTech industry thus contributes to the resilience and competitiveness of the economic hub Germany.
The results of the GreenTech Atlas 2025 were calculated on the basis of official statistics and a comprehensive definition of relevant GreenTech goods and services. The GreenTech Atlas was published for the seventh time in 2025. It presents economic developments in the industry since 2010 and shows potential until 2045. The GreenTech Atlas distinguishes seven lead markets, which in turn are divided into different market segments.
GreenTech is an important part of the German economy
The GreenTech industry has developed into a significant part of the German economy in Germany over the past decades. The cross-sectoral industry unites companies that offer environmentally and climate-friendly technologies and services, such as plants for the production of renewable energies or technologies for increasing energy efficiency. Around 7.5 percent of the workforce in Germany, 9 percent of German gross value added and more than 8 percent of exports can be traced back to the sector. The GreenTech contribution to the gross value added was EUR 314 billion in 2023. Since 2010, it has grown by an average of 5 percent per year, significantly more than gross value added in the economy as a whole. Growth is particularly dynamic in the areas of renewable energy systems, environmentally friendly mobility and energy efficiency.
Until 2045: further growth
The development of the industry depends heavily on how consistently policy objectives such as climate neutrality and the circular economy are pursued. Potential assessments indicate that the gross value added of the German GreenTech industry can grow to over 620 billion euros by 2045. If climate targets are ambitiously pursued and the circular economy is implemented, the global GreenTech market could grow by an additional 30 percent compared to a global market in which such goals are not fully pursued. If this potential is actively promoted, it creates a win-win situation with benefits for the economy, the creation of sustainable jobs. and the protection of the climate and the environment.
About 3.4 million GreenTech employees
Since 2010, the number of employees in the German GreenTech industry has grown faster than in the economy as a whole. In 2023, 3.4 million people were employed in the sector in Germany – about three times as many as in the automotive industry. Employment figures in the lead markets environmentally friendly mobility (+5 per cent per year) and energy efficiency (+3 per cent per year) developed particularly strongly. In the crisis years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the GreenTech industry continued to grow, while traditional industries recorded a decline in employment.
GreenTech made in Germany continues to be in high demand
In 2023, the German GreenTech industry exported goods worth 132 billion euros, more than eight percent of Germany's exports. Since 2019, German GreenTech exports have grown disproportionately compared to Germany's total exports. More than half (55 percent) of GreenTech exports are delivered to other EU countries. Nevertheless, the US (9.9 percent) and China (5 percent) are also key trading partners. Global demand for German GreenTech has increased in all areas since 2010 and could quadruple by 2045. It is therefore important to open up new markets for German GreenTech exports.
Innovation potential for future competitiveness
More than half of all GreenTech patent applications worldwide come from the USA, Japan and Germany. The German patent applications focus in particular on the lead markets renewable energies and environmentally friendly mobility. Currently, Europe is a leader in GreenTech: The top 10 European countries account for about 40 percent of the world's GreenTech. However, China has significantly increased its patent applications. Since 2010, the number of Chinese patent applications has increased sixfold.
Data and information on individual lead markets and the special topic recycling of PV and wind turbines can be found in the GreenTech Atlas 2025 and in the separate data document. Further information on the methodological procedure can be found in the methodological report on the GreenTech Atlas 2025. An English translation of the key findings is also available online.
