The News
Friday 29 of March 2024

Germany's Merkel edges closer to Macron on 2050 climate plan


AP Photo,German Chancellor Angela Merkel,right, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, left, and Chilean Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt, center, pose for media in front of the Brandenburg Gate prior to a session of the 10th 'Petersberger Klimadialog' climate conference in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)
AP Photo,German Chancellor Angela Merkel,right, German Environment Minister Svenja Schulze, left, and Chilean Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt, center, pose for media in front of the Brandenburg Gate prior to a session of the 10th 'Petersberger Klimadialog' climate conference in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber)

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel says she would like to join other European countries in aiming to eliminate virtually all greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, but the goal needs to be achievable.

Merkel initially refused to join the initiative put forward last week by French President Emmanuel Macron and eight other EU countries, despite domestic pressure to do so.

Merkel said at an international climate change meeting in Berlin on Tuesday that the idea will be put on her Cabinet’s agenda and “the discussion is not about whether we can achieve it, but about how we can achieve it.”

She added that “if we can find a sensible answer, then we can join the initiative.”