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Germany’s new coal phase-out plan: Lots of money, little climate ambition
(EurActiv, 17 Jan 2020) An agreement reached in the early hours of Thursday (16 January) between the federal government and representatives of the four German coal states won’t bring the country much closer to reaching its climate goals, analysts said.
The deal will, however, represent massive transfers of money from the federal state to regional coffers. Under the agreement, Berlin will pour €40 billion to support economic restructuring in mining regions and €4.35 billion to compensate power producers for lost revenues.
“The advantage of the agreement is that it takes everyone on board,” said Nicolas Berghmans, a climate and energy policy researcher with the French think-tank IDDRI. “But it also has a disadvantage, namely that it is not enough for Germany to achieve its climate targets,” he told EURACTIV.
Germany’s objective is to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. However, the current compromise only achieves a reduction of 47.6%.
“On the positive side, the plan adopted almost a year ago is being put into practice,” Berghmans remarked.
The question now, he said, is when Berlin will raise its climate ambition. “The European debate on raising the reduction target to 55% by 2030 can help to kick start the debate in Germany,” Berghmans said.
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EurActiv, 17 Jan 2020: Germany’s new coal phase-out plan: Lots of money, little climate ambition
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