Germany to close all coal plants by 2038 in shift to renewable energy

A German government-appointed commission laid out a roadmap Saturday for the country to close all of its coal-fired power plants by 2038, allocating $45.7 billion aid to regions dependent on fossil fuels, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: Germany and some other coal-dependent countries in Europe in particular have long said they would get off coal, but didn’t take actual action to do so. This proposal, which must now be translated into policy by Germany's national and state governments, indicates a tangible shift toward action and could put pressure on other European nations.