Decisions on combating global warming must not be questioned or diluted, former German chancellor Angela Merkel said in Berlin on Monday.
"I believe that it is very important for decisions that we have taken to be implemented as far as possible," Merkel said during a rare public appearance at an event organized by public broadcaster WDR.
"I still remember when the catalytic converter was introduced. The cry went up: It won't work at all," she said. The same was the case with emission standards for cars with combustion engines, Merkel said.
Once business knew what it had to do, it was able to deliver, she said. "And we were often the pioneers globally," Merkel said.
She expressed regret that China now had more electric cars than Germany, warning that climate change remained an urgent issue. "We are approaching tipping points instead of its becoming less relevant," Merkel said.
She added to applause from the audience: "And despite all the other things, combating global warming must continue to remain at the top of the agenda," she said.
Merkel was speaking at the re:publica digital conference, which opened on Monday under the theme “Never Gonna Give You Up” and runs through Wednesday with talks, workshops and panel discussions.
