Merkel 鈥� Germany must soon decide whether to aim for 80 or 95 percent CO2 reduction by 2050
Germany should specify its mid-century climate ambitions soon, according to Chancellor Angela Merkel. 鈥淔rom my point of view, this must be decided at the start of the next legislative period,鈥� she said at a conference by local utility association VKU. Germany鈥檚 official target is a CO2 cut of 80 to 95 percent by 2050. 鈥淏ut obviously, there is a huge difference between the two [鈥 clarification is needed.鈥�
Merkel said that Germany will exit coal step-by-step, but must not move too hastily. 鈥淭his would push whole regions into an unacceptable situation,鈥� Merkel said with reference to coal mining regions Lusatia and North Rhine-Westphalia. 鈥淲e must not alienate the people permanently.鈥� She jokingly called on the audience: 鈥淵ou should show solidarity. One day, it will be your turn.鈥�
For background read the 威力彩玩法 factsheets Germany鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions and climate targets and When will Germany finally ditch coal?