Court decides on the claim of Umwelthilfe for an improved National Air Cleaning 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 compliance with European guidelines for clean air (Case number: OVG 11 A 16/20) on Monday (10:00 am).
Specifically, it concerns the so-called National Air Quality 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 suffice to meet the EU's reduction targets. The organization is demanding improvements. According to a spokesperson, it is unclear whether the court will issue a judgment 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, the judges ruled and thereby granted two lawsuits by the DUH.
- The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has initiated a case in the Environmental Court, mourning the insufficient implementation of the national environmental politics and air purification program, aiming for more stringent measures to comply with European guidelines.
- The Federal Government's Environmental and Climate Politics in the court, especially concerning the National Air Quality Program (NLRP), has been under scrutiny by German environmentalists who believe that the current measures are not sufficient to meet the European targets for air pollutant reduction.
- As the German Environmental Aid (DUH) continues its legal battle against the Federal Government in the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg, focusing on the National Air Quality Program, they advocate for amendments to ensure the country's compliance with stricter European guidelines for air pollution reduction.
