Maintenance of Limits - Court: Environment-Program correction needed
The Federal Government must review parts of its National Air Pollution Program. This was decided by the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg. The previously listed measures were not sufficient in all aspects to achieve the European goals for reducing emissions of air pollutants, according to the judges.
Therefore, the German Environmental Aid (DUH) has again - at least partially - successfully sued the Federal Government. In mid-May, the Oberverwaltungsgericht (OVG) had decided that the Federal Government must revise its climate protection program.
In this case, it concerned the 2019-approved and May 2024-updated program with numerous measures through which Germany intends to reach the European goals for reducing emissions of air pollutants. This involves Ammonia, Fine Dust, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Oxides.
The judgment is not legally binding. Due to its fundamental significance, the judges allowed a revision at the Bundesverwaltungsgericht in Leipzig.
- The German Environmental Aid e.V. (DUH) has taken the Federal Government to court over insufficient measures in its National Air Pollution Program, following a judgement by the Oberverwaltungsgericht Berlin-Brandenburg.
- The Berlin-based court found that the previously implemented measures did not fully meet the European goals for reducing emissions of air pollutants, such as Ammonia, Fine Dust, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Oxides.
- Consequently, the Federal Government is required to review parts of the 2019-approved and May 2024-updated Air Quality Program in order to meet these environmental targets.
- The Oberverwaltungsgericht's judgement is not legally binding, but its significance led to the court allowing a revision process to take place at the Bundesverwaltungsgericht in Leipzig.
- Overall, this court case highlights the importance of upholding environmental standards and limiting emissions, particularly in relation to Germany's climate and air quality objectives.
