Germany Set to Weaken Climate Targets For Dirtiest Industries

  • Experts have warned reform may thwart efforts on emissions
  • Germany is already falling behind on CO2-reduction goals

A lignite-fired power station in Neurath, Germany. 

Photographer: Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images
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Germany is set to water down emissions goals for the most polluting industries, in a move that’s been criticized as another blow to the country’s climate plans.

Starting next year, the country’s coalition government wants to track progress on emissions by focusing on economy-wide figures instead of the current sector-by-sector goals. The new approach will allow less-polluting industries to compensate for dirtier ones.