Angela Merkel has conceded Germany’s record on reducing carbon emissions was “not sufficient” to meet the global warming targets of the Paris climate agreement, as the chancellor reflected on the achievements and missed opportunities of her 16-year leadership.
The 67-year-old nonetheless conceded that “what has been achieved is not sufficient” when measured against the Paris agreement’s target to limit global warming to well below 2C, preferably to 1.5C, compared with pre-industrial levels.
Not just Germany, but the whole world had failed to meet its targets, she said.
While Germany alone could not change the world climate, she argued, “the manner in which we do it can set an example that others follow”.
Merkel, who was environment minister under Chancellor Helmut Kohl from 1994 to 1998, said the fight for joint global steps towards more efficient climate protection had “shaped my entire political work”.
She defended her government’s 2011 decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022, which critics say has made the country more reliant on coal power.
Germany’s national weather service said on Thursday that regions hit by the floods last week could receive more heavy rain at the weekend. »
