Germany Plans To Realize Zero Percent Emissions Five Years Early

Illustration (Source: Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The German government plans to realize zero percent emissions five years early. The effort was made after Germany's high court ruled the existing plan placed too much burden on curbing climate change. Therefore, the plan is subject to adjustment.

Visiting CNA, May 10, the government's efforts to realize zero percent emissions sooner have been present in proposals announced by Environment Minister Svenja Schulze and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz. The country will increase its emissions reduction target from 55 percent to 65 percent by 2030. As well as being 88 percent by 2040.

The plan is absolutely possible. Because, Germany has a commitment to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Which, originally a zero percent emissions reduction plan by 2050, is now trimmed to 2045.

The emissions reduction target includes few details about the plan to be achieved. Including to drive an environmentally friendly investment climate in accordance with the Paris agreement.

Experts argue that to speed up the emissions reduction process, Germany must immediately stop coal-fired power plants sooner than the planned date in 2038. That move should be part of the plan.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel approved the plan. His spokesman Steffen Seibert said ministers in the government had approved the plan.

Even a higher target of a 65 percent reduction by 2030 and an end to zero percent emissions reductions by 2045 will be imminent. "The common goal is a revised bill if possible as soon as next week's Cabinet meeting," Steffen Seibert told reporters in Berlin.

Earlier, the Government was forced to restructure its emissions reduction plan after Germany's highest court said there was a risk in the plan. Especially in restricting the rights of young people compared to older generations to speak out for the environment.

The world's environmental NGO Greenpeace welcomed the proposal to speed up Germany's emissions reductions. However, Greenpeace said the target should be at least 70 percent by 2030.

"That's the only way to protect the rights of the younger generation," said the environmental group's climate expert, Lisa Goeldner. "There is no other way to stop accelerated coal removal by 2030, an end to the new registration of cars with combustion engines by 2025, and faster removal of agricultural plants."