Analyse
The quoted statement aligns precisely with Merkel’s recorded remarks at the **UN Climate Change Conference (COP23) in Bonn on November 15, 2017**, where she emphasized intergenerational equity and collective duty. The **German Federal Government’s official transcript** and **reputable news outlets** (e.g., *Deutsche Welle*, *Reuters*) confirm the phrasing and context. No credible sources dispute the attribution or substance of the quote, and it reflects her long-standing policy positions on climate action.
Achtergrond
COP23, presided over by Fiji but hosted in Bonn, Germany, focused on implementing the **Paris Agreement** (2015), with Merkel’s speech highlighting Germany’s commitment to emissions reductions and global cooperation. Her tenure as Chancellor (2005–2021) included advocacy for renewable energy (*Energiewende*) and multilateral climate frameworks. The quote exemplifies her rhetorical framing of climate change as a moral imperative, a theme repeated in other addresses (e.g., COP21, 2015).
Samenvatting verdict
Angela Merkel did state at COP23 in 2017 that climate change is a generational responsibility requiring urgent action, as corroborated by official transcripts and media reports.