Al Gore calls on German coal commission to make “historic“ decision

Germany has provided inspiring and visionary leadership on energy and climate for many years, but is now at risk of being left behind, according to former US Vice President Al Gore. While stakeholders met for the first session of Germany’s coal exit commission, the renowned climate activist called on its members to make a decision “truly of historic nature” – to phase out coal. Gore said in Berlin that Germany being left behind “sounds out of sync with what our impression is based on the wonderful policies that Germany put in place several years ago that lifted the world toward success in this energy transition.” But the country had not succeeded in reducing greenhouse gas emissions for four years. “Of course, the nuclear issues have played a role, but of course the political and economic power of the coal industry has played a role,” he said. Gore, founder and chairman of Climate Reality, is in Berlin for three days to train more than 600 activists to become leaders within their communities supporting climate action efforts.

For background, read the CLEW article Commission watch – Managing Germany’s coal phase-out and the factsheet Germany’s coal exit commission.

Note: The Clean Energy Wire will publish an article on this topic later today.