Germany's Coal Commission Aims to Halve Output by 2030
Germany has launched a coal commission to plan a gradual exit from coal, aiming to halve coal-fired output by 2030 to meet its climate targets. The commission, comprising 31 members from various sectors, faces the challenge of balancing environmental concerns with economic interests in coal mining regions.
The commission, expected to submit a preliminary plan by October 2018 and a final report by the end of the year, includes 10 'anti-coal' members among its 28 voting members. However, its priority is to create a new economic perspective for coal mining regions, which currently rely heavily on coal for jobs and revenue.
Coal produces around 40% of Germany's electricity and employs approximately 30,000 workers. The Green Party, led by Annalena Baerbock, has called for an immediate ban on new mines and preparatory work. They worry that the commission's mixed mandate may allow economic concerns to trump environmental ones. The German government has allocated EUR 1.5 billion through 2021 for transitional assistance in these regions.
The commission aims to halve coal-fired output by 2030, but it has not set a date for a complete phaseout. The Coal Exit Law passed in 2020 plans for a complete exit from lignite mining by the end of 2038, with a phased shutdown schedule for coal power plants. The success of the commission will depend on its ability to strike a balance between environmental responsibility and regional economic needs.
