Merkel speaks out against more ambitious EU climate targets

(EurActiv, 27 Aug 2018) German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke against setting more ambitious EU climate targets on Sunday (26 August) but supported the idea of a transition towards a decarbonised transport sector.

“I think we should first stick to the goals we have already set for ourselves. I don’t think permanently setting ourselves new goals makes any sense,” Merkel told ARD public television in an interview on Sunday evening. 

Her comments carry special weight as Germany is the EU’s most powerful economy and its industry, particularly the car industry, has been among the slowest to adapt to the energy transition.

EU climate chief Miguel Arias Cañete said last month he was considering increasing from 40 to 45% the size of cuts to harmful carbon dioxide emissions that EU countries should target by 2030 in response to evidence that climate change was gathering pace.

“I’m not particularly happy about these new proposals,” Merkel said.

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EurActiv, 27 Aug 2018: Merkel speaks out against more ambitious EU climate targets