Germany’s efforts to cut greenhouse gases to meet European Union target are faltering, creating a a widening gulf between expectations and reality that’s causing some policy makers to seek a quick fix by closing coal plants.
Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government has pledged to cut carbon pollution by 2020 by two-fifths compared with 1990 levels but a new Environment Ministry forecasts show Germany is likely to fall well short of its goals. The gap is fueling criticism by opposition lawmakers who want to cap coal generation.
