Greenpeace Sues Germany Over Climate Targets, Proposes Coal Phase-Out by 2025
Greenpeace Energy has filed a lawsuit against the German government for not meeting climate change targets. The organisation proposed a plan to decommission several coal mines and power plants by 2025, which was swiftly rejected by RWE. The plan aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions and save substantial social costs.
Greenpeace Energy's proposal includes shutting down the Hambach mine and six oldest power plant units by 2020. By 2025, they aim to close the Garzweiler mine and the last three lignite burning units. Additionally, they plan to decommission the Inden mine and six more power plant units by 2022.
The environmental group estimates that implementing their plan would save around €60 billion in climate damage costs. It would also result in approximately half a billion fewer tons of CO2 compared to RWE's current plans. Greenpeace Energy plans to replace the lost power generation with wind and solar systems, totalling 8.2 gigawatts, on former mining areas. The entire replacement renewable system is estimated to cost around €7 billion.
Germany admitted it would now only achieve a 32% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020, instead of the pledged 40%. Greenpeace Energy's lawsuit and proposed plan aim to push the government and RWE to take more ambitious action against climate change.
Read also:
- Federal petition from CEI seeking federal intervention against state climate disclosure laws, alleging these laws negatively impact interstate commerce and surpass constitutional boundaries.
- Hydrogen Energy: Sustainable Innovation or Resource Exploitation?
- Dim outlook for a major energy corporation
- Underwater pipeline shutdown initiative by Michigan challenges scope of American foreign policy, contends Trump Justice Department
