November 30, 2009. Copyright 2009, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Copenhagen Climate conference -- Germany
By Joanna Griffin

LONDON, November 30, Graphic News:  After Angela Merkel threatened to boycott talks in Copenhagen unless the U.S. and China put numbers to their plans to cut carbon emissions, overnight Germany's leader became a key protagonist in the fight against global warming. Up until now, however, her country's involvement with matters green has not been quite as black and white.

Though Europe's largest economy is a world leader in developing renewable energy, its attachment to fuel guzzling cars and energy intensive industry has held it back as an environmental crusader. Merkel has juggled pressures to look for loopholes in EU climate laws from heavy industry with calls for change from an established green lobby.

Many are sceptical that Germany can meet its own targets of a 40% cut in carbon emissions on 1990 levels by 2020. It has got rid of many of the polluting factories and fuel inefficient habits of the former East Germany but has some way to go to achieve its goal of becoming a world hero in the fight against climate change.
/ENDS