Primary energy consumption is used to adjust final energy consumption values in order to normalize the value added of final energy production. The indicator measures the summation of energy used for transformation (losses) in a country's energy sectors and energy consumed in production, transport and private households. Quantities are summed from domestically produced primary energy sources and all imported energy sources minus the export of energy in the form of exports ("foreign trade balance") and ocean bunkering. A baseline of 100 is chosen, assigned to 2008, any changes are set in relation to this baseline.

By 2020, a 20% reduction in primary energy consumption is targeted and a 50% reduction compared to 2008. For the year 2030, a target value of 70 linear is determined and set by 2030Watch - based on the starting year 2008 (=100 points).

The starting value for the progress calculation is the value from the year 2008 (=100), which is the reference year of the German sustainability strategy for this indicator.

This is an official indicator of the German Sustainability Strategy.