In a piece for the American Institute of Contemporary German Studies (AICGS), Carol Hager, professor of Environmental Studies and Political Science, gave her thoughts on German Chancellor Angela Merkel's legacy with regard to climate policy.
From the article:
"Angela Merkel was dubbed the 'Climate Chancellor' during her first term in office. Now, at the close of her fourth term, her record is mixed but overall positive with regard to climate issues. Some policy measures that would affect her options had already been put in place by the previous Red/Green government, most notably the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG, 2000) and the commitment to withdraw from nuclear power by 2022. Climate policy advocates were optimistic that Merkel would keep Germany on this path, given her scientific training and experience as Environment Minister in the 1990s. As the leader of the Grand Coalition government 2005-2009, Merkel was instrumental in persuading the EU to adopt climate reduction targets. She has been a leading force in lobbying for a binding global climate treaty. She has also taken a leadership role in keeping the 2015 Paris Agreement on track despite the (temporary) withdrawal of the United States and in pledging financial support for climate efforts in the global South."
Read the full article on the AICGS website.
Hager's recent publications have dealt with different forms of community involvement in land-use planning and energy policy making in the U.S., Great Britain, and Germany, with a focus on processes of conflict and collaboration. She teaches courses in comparative politics, environmental politics and policy, comparative public policy, technology and politics, comparative social movements, and German/European politics.