Court decides on the claim of German Environmental Aid for an improved air purification program
The Federal Government must answer in court once again regarding its environmental and climate politics. The Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg is hearing a lawsuit by the German Environmental Aid (DUH) for enforcement of European guidelines for clean air (Case number: OVG 11 A 16/20) on Monday (10:00 am).
Specifically, it is about the so-called National Air Pollution Program (NLRP). This program, which was adopted in 2019 and updated in May 2024, contains numerous measures with which Germany intends to achieve the European targets for reducing emissions of air pollutants. This includes Ammonia, fine dust, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides.
The Environmental Aid is opposed to the Federal Government's view that these measures will be sufficient to meet the EU's reduction targets. The association is demanding improvements. According to a spokesperson, it is unclear whether the court will issue a ruling on Monday or later.
Middle of May, the Oberverwaltungsgericht had decided that the Federal Government must revise its climate protection program. The previously listed measures were not sufficient to achieve the climate targets, ruled the judges and thus granted two lawsuits by the DUH.
The Environmental Aid, hailing from Germany, has raised concerns about the German Environmental Policy, specifically the National Air Pollution Program (NLRP), arguing that the measures it contains might not be sufficient to meet European reduction targets for air pollutants like Ammonia, fine dust, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. The Germans are firmly involved in this legal battle, as the court case is set to be heard by the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg. The ongoing lawsuit, marked as OVG 11 A 16/20, includes an environmental help petition for the implementation of European guidelines for clean air, which include air purification programs.
