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The year 2021 was characterised by an economic rebound (real GDP +4,6 percent) as the COVID-19 pandemic subsided, and an accompanying 4.9 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 emissions fell significantly by –6.4 percent according to initial estimates, although economic output grew by 4.9 percent. The decoupling of economic growth and emissions development was primarily due to price-related energy savings. In addition, weather-conditions also influenced greenhouse gas emissions. For example, a mild winter curbed heating demand and a dry summer reduced hydropower output. The significant increase in energy prices due to the Ukraine war drove up expenditure on fossil energy imports. The capacity of the renewable energy technologies photovoltaics and wind energy was increased by 15.9 percent. This year's special topic deals with the current status of the legislative implementation of the EU's "Fit for 55" package.