Germany made a landmark decision to form a task force in 2018 to steer the country in establishing a coal exit path. Coal is responsible for about a third of the power used in Germany and over 80 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. The commission was formed to oversee the mandate of the federal government to ensure equal investments in employment opportunities throughout the country among other goals, especially in regions whose economies rely on coal mining. The deadline of the commission to deliver on its mandate was supposed to be December 2018. However, the commission postponed the conclusion of its report to Feb. 1, 2019. The decision to extend the commission’s mandate was based on concerns from three eastern German states.

By close of the year, the commission was yet to reach a compromise and agree on a clear coal exit path. There were pending issues on how to finance the phase-out of coal, issues on energy and climate were yet to be discussed. This means that Germany participated in COP24 almost empty handed after failing to reach a decision on the probable coal exit path. The commission was only able to complete the first part of the report which contained proposals on the development of infrastructure and internet in affected areas.