Merkel gets behind climate action as part of green recovery

Posted on April, 28 2020

Chancellor Merkel's support sends a powerful message
At today’s Petersberg climate dialogue, hosted by Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said greater climate action should be part of our economic recovery from the health crisis. She also spoke in favour of a “50% or 55%” emissions reduction target for 2030 - up from the 40% target today. 
 
Given Germany's economic and political weight and upcoming EU presidency, Chancellor Merkel’s support for a green economic recovery centred on science-based climate action, and a higher 2030 target sends a powerful message both within the EU and internationally. 
 
WWF is calling for 65% emissions reductions by 2030, in line with climate science.  
 
Ester Asin, Director of WWF European Policy Office said: 
“Chancellor Merkel’s words should give a turbo boost to the green economic recovery from the health crisis which so many citizens, governments and organisations want to see. As the Chancellor stated, increased climate ambition and biodiversity protection are key to a sustainable recovery, and countries must not delay the updating of their UN climate pledges. For the EU, this means rapidly adopting a 2030 climate target of 65% emissions, which is what science tells us is needed to avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis, as a step on a socially fair path to a climate neutral EU.”
 
More on ‘green recovery’ initiatives: Contact:
Imke Lübbeke
Head of Climate and Energy
WWF European Policy Office 
iluebbeke@wwf.eu 
+ 32 2 743 88 18
 
Sarah Azau, 
Media Manager 
WWF European Policy Office 
sazau@wwf.eu
+32 473 573 137
Solar panels on a bank building in Berlin, Germany.
© Edward Parker / WWF