Berlin, July 8 (RHC)-- Lawmakers in Germany voted to phase out coal use entirely by 2038 — the first major economy to make such a commitment.  

Germany has also said it would eliminate nuclear energy by the end of 2022. But environmental groups say the move does not go far enough to mitigate the climate crisis, pointing out that Germany burns more lignite coal than any other country. 

Climate activists and the German Green Party say the government should phase out coal by 2030 at the latest.  Green Party leader Annalena Baerbock said: “It would have been a chance to fight the climate crisis with the same vivacity and determination we fought the coronavirus crisis.  But that, you did not do.  You did not do that.  Instead, you are de facto presenting an 18-year financial coal protection law.”