Germany in €54bn climate action vow
MAJOR BOOST TO CUT EMISSIONS
THE German government has agreed a €54bn (£48bn) package of measures for tackling climate change.
Chancellor Angela Merkel said the deal agreed by the country’s governing parties after all-night talks represented a major boost for Germany’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Under pressure from environmental protests and a surge in support for the opposition Green party, Europe’s biggest economy is now aiming to cut emissions by 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels.
“We believe that we can achieve the goals and that we’ve truly laid the foundations for this,” Mrs Merkel said.
Among the measures is a charge for carbon emissions from transport and heating fuels.
The government plans to introduce a national emissions trading system that will see prices for a ton of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, start at €10 (£8.80) in 2021, rising to €35 (£30.90) in 2025.
Experts had earlier said that a starting price of €35 was necessary to ensure emissions drop soon.
But German manufacturers – including the country’s powerful car makers – have lobbied against high carbon prices and urged the government to instead support the development of climate-friendly technology.
Other measures agreed include raising the climate charge on airline tickets and investing more in low-emission rail travel, including by reducing the tax on train tickets.
Germany had long been a leader on environmental protection but has lagged behind many European neighbours in recent years.
The country’s transport sector in particular had failed to keep step with reduction targets.