29/01/2020 (Agence Europe) – Germany's draft law on the phasing out of coal by 2038 was adopted by its Council of Ministers on Wednesday 29 January. The plan, which was recently agreed between the government and regional leaders in Germany (see EUROPE 12405/29), envisages providing financial support totalling EUR 40 billion for mining regions until 2038. The end date could also be brought forward by three years to 2035, depending on the progress reviews carried out in 2026 and 2029. As Germany is already certain to miss its 2020 climate targets, including the target for the share of renewables in its energy mix (see EUROPE 12410/17), this plan has been strongly criticised by a number of environmental NGOs, including Greenpeace. The NGOs believe that the end date - whether in 2038 or 2035 - is much too far away given the nature of the climate emergency. (DG)