071203-germany

GERMANY - How green is Germany?

According to some scientists, climate change is one of the biggest problems mankind is facing.

MOREINFO: U.N. climate change talks in Bali in Indonesia are currently grappling with those issues, while a G8 climate conference is also taking place in Germany at the same time. Germany may be the world's third largest industrial nation, with powerful industry and known for its fast cars, but it also has a reputation as a leader in the fight against climate change. So just how green is Germany? Joanna Partridge reports for Reuters

SCRIPT:

All eyes are on Bali as crucial talks on climate change led by the United Nations get underway.

But a G8 climate conference is also taking place in Germany - a country with many contradictory attitudes to protecting the environment.

Germany - Europe's largest economy - is the world's sixth biggest emitter of greenhouse gases, and builds some of the most powerful and most polluting cars on the roads.

Add to this a government commitment to phasing out its nuclear power plants - and it doesn't appear a very "green" country.

But Germany is often hailed as one of the world's leaders in the fight against climate change.

It certainly is at the forefront of renewable energy technology, producing half the world's solar power.

And Chancellor Angela Merkel - sometimes nicknamed the "Klimakanzlerin" or climate Chancellor by the German media - made it her mission at this year's G8 summit in Heiligendamm to get the other G8 countries to agree that emissions cuts were needed in the fight against global warming.

Opening the G8 climate conference, Germany's Foreign Minister explained G8 countries have to act, and not just because they have the technological know-how:

SOUNDBITE: Frank-Walter Steinmeier, German Foreign Minister, saying (German):

"Aside from the technological question, I am convinced that those of us who are sitting around this table, who are partially responsible for and are producers of emissions, are also obliged to use this tool."

But some green groups in Germany aren't convinced by the politicians' rhetoric.

One of their complaints is the government's unwillingness to introduce a speed limit on sections of German motorway where there isn't one.

Environmentalists argue that speed restrictions could cut CO2 output immediately.

And they also disagree with the Merkel government's move to more coal-burning plants as nuclear power is phased out.

They say that - like so many industrial countries - there's still room to do more. And they'll be watching to see what is decided here in Germany, and in Bali.

Joanna Partridge, Reuters

phase out

To bring or come to an end, one stage at a time.
hail - praise vociferously; "The critics hailed the young pianist as a new Rubinstein"

acclaim, herald

applaud - express approval of; "I applaud your efforts"