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Court Rules German Climate Plan Falls Short


A coal-fired RWE power plant steams on a sunny day in Neurath, Germany, April 29, 2021, as Germany's top court ruled that the country's government has to set clear goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2030.
A coal-fired RWE power plant steams on a sunny day in Neurath, Germany, April 29, 2021, as Germany's top court ruled that the country's government has to set clear goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2030.

Germany’s highest court ruled Thursday that the government has to set clear goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions after 2030.

A 2019 law committed Germany to cutting emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and includes specific policies for achieving the goal such as incentivizing renewable energy, expanding electric car infrastructure and carbon trading.

The country also aims to be largely carbon-neutral by 2050.

The court said Thursday that the government lacks specificity about how it will achieve the further carbon reductions after 2030.

The government has until the end of next year to come up with the new targets.

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