Appreciation expressed towards Merkel.
For politicians with lower ambitions when it comes to combatting climate change, existing climate targets hold a significant weight. These standards inherited from the Merkel era are legally binding.
Known for her ability to navigate conflicts and crises, Angela Merkel, former Chancellor, had a knack for seeing what was truly needed, even if it didn't always dictate her policies. This applied not only to her energy and Russia policies but also to her climate policies. While her federal governments set increasingly bold climate targets, there remained a gap between the set goals and the implemented measures. On reflection, she admitted, "Compared to the goal of keeping a temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius, not enough has been done."
The traffic light coalition attempted to bridge this gap, albeit only with partial success. The recent diminishing importance of climate policy, both socially and politically, has created a void, making judicial pressure far more crucial. The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court has decreed that the traffic light government must reinforce their climate protection program to align with the legal climate protection target.
The possibility of such rule rests upon the legal foundation established under Merkel. After a ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court, legislations were implemented to address climate concerns. The basis for the current ruling stems from Merkel's Climate Protection Act of 2021, mandating a reduction "of at least 65 percent" by 2030 compared to 1990.
This is not the first ruling of its kind. The consequences are unclear at present. The German government can contest the ruling. Furthermore, the government has already begun to adjust the Climate Protection Act. Earlier this year, in April, the Bundestag endorsed altering the way Germany's climate target is evaluated. Instead of sector-specific goals, the whole assessment would be considered. Recently, this law received Bundesrat approval, though it didn't inform the previous ruling.
Regardless of specific details, this ruling highlights how substantial the framework under Merkel is. Although it can be updated, in the meantime, these objectives remain intact - thanks to her legacy.
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The traffic light coalition, led by politicians who succeeded Angela Merkel, acknowledged the necessity to strengthen their climate protection measures to align with the legal climate targets set during her tenure. Merkel, in reflecting on her climate policies, admitted that while ambitious climate targets were set, sufficient actions were not taken to meet the goal of limiting global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.
Source: www.ntv.de
