German economy minister sees no brown coal exit before 2040

Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel does not expect Germany to withdraw from brown coal in its power production before 2040, despite a growing debate over how to protect the climate from rising CO2 emissions. Calls have grown for Germany to set out a timetable for a withdrawal from coal in power production following the climate protection deal struck in Paris last December. The government has pledged to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 95 percent compared to 1990 by the middle of the century.