Merkel mum on Germany’s cutoff for coal

BONN, Germany — German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a veteran of global efforts to curb climate change, disappointed environmental campaigners Wednesday by refusing to lay down a deadline for ending her country’s use of coal.

Green groups and developing countries had called on Merkel to use global climate talks in Bonn this week to set a date for her country to phase out coal-fired power plants — as she has previously done with nuclear energy.

Merkel acknowledged that Germany’s practice of burning coal to generate electricity is one reason it’s not on track to cut its carbon emissions by 40 percent from 1990 levels by 2020.

“Now, at the end of 2017, we know that we’re still missing a big chunk,” Merkel said.

Speaking to leaders and ministers from around the world, Merkel said there will be “hard discussions” on the issue in her upcoming talks with the Green party and the pro-business Free Democrats on forming a new government.

Germany generates about 40 percent of its electricity from coal, including the light brown variety called lignite that’s considered to be among the most heavily polluting fossil fuels.

“Coal, especially lignite, must contribute a significant part to achieving these goals,” Merkel said. “But what exactly that will be is something we will discuss very precisely in the coming days.”

Speaking immediately after her, French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was committed to ending the use of coal by 2021. France gets most of its electricity from nuclear power.

Macron said Europe should fill the gap in funding for the U.N.’S scientific expert panel on climate change left by the U.S. decision to hold back its contribution.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has said it will cut funding for the panel, known as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which provides key guidance on global warming to governments around the world.

The talks in Bonn have largely centered on hammering out the precise rules for implementing the Paris climate accord. The 2015 agreement was seen as a political landmark because countries set a firm target to try to keep global warming below 3.6 Fahrenheit.

Merkel commended an alliance of U.S. states, cities and businesses calling itself “America’s Pledge” that has committed to keep reducing emissions even without Washington’s support.