The German coalition government in planning to withdraw from its 2020 climate change goals. Notwithstanding public protests the Federal Economics Minister, Sigmar Gabriel, has abandoned the requirement of cutting 40 percent of CO2 emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2020. "It's clear that the 2020 CO2 target is no longer viable," said the vice-chancellor. "We cannot exit from coal power overnight." (1)