A method of producing cement clinker including the steps of preheating raw meal comprising calcium carbonate in a preheating stage that is preheated by the exhaust gases of a sintering stage connected downstream in the direction of the gas flow, neutralizing the preheated raw meal, sintering the raw meal into cement clinker in a sintering stage, and cooling the cement clinker from the sintering stage in a cooling stage that cools the cement clinker with a gas. The exhaust gases of the sintering stage are combined with the exhaust gases of the neutralization, and the combined exhaust gases are conducted in an open gas circuit. The CO2 emissions are substantially reduced over known systems with CO separation, and the formation of nitrogen oxides by the combustion of atmospheric nitrogen in the oxidative environment of the sintering stage burner is almost completely prevented.