French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, after talks with his German counterpart, called the suggestion a “very good idea” which would be discussed further.

Scholz had proposed the establishment of an international association of countries that would lead the way in the fight against climate change.

The “climate club” would develop common targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, define uniform standards for measuring them and shield countries willing to protect the climate from the disadvantages they might face as a result in international competition.

“The EU has to face this challenge,” Le Maire said regarding climate change, adding that Europe could not wait for China and the US in striving for climate neutrality.

“We want to be leaders in matters of climate change,” the French minister said.

If the EU was aiming to become climate neutral by 2050, the issue had now to be addressed decisively with massive investments in renewable energies, Scholz said after talks with Le Maire.

“Europe has to become a pioneer in climate politics,” he demanded, also calling on Germany to improve its industrial policies, speed up the construction of power lines and make quicker progress with wind farms.