Merkel – 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. “From my point of view, this must be decided at the start of the next legislative period,” she said at a conference by local utility association VKU. Germany’s official target is a CO2 cut of 80 to 95 percent by 2050. “But obviously, there is a huge difference between the two […] clarification is needed.”
Merkel said that Germany will exit coal step-by-step, but must not move too hastily. “This would push whole regions into an unacceptable situation,” Merkel said with reference to coal mining regions Lusatia and North Rhine-Westphalia. “We must not alienate the people permanently.” She jokingly called on the audience: “You should show solidarity. One day, it will be your turn.”

For background read the CLEW factsheets Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions and climate targets and When will Germany finally ditch coal?