The German administration needs to take more measures to boost climate protection.
The German government's climate protection program outlines the desired reduction in emissions. The question arises whether they're taking the necessary steps to reach these objectives. Environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe harbors concerns, and they've taken action-with success.
According to a recent ruling by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court, the German government's climate protection efforts fall short. They've deemed the current measures inadequate for meeting the outlined targets. Two lawsuits brought forward by Deutsche Umwelthilfe were upheld, and this decision strikes a blow against the government's policy.
The High Administrative Court's ruling states that the current climate plan, adopted in October, doesn't meet all legal requirements. The federal government has the option to appeal, which could delay the impacts of the ruling, leaving the decision to the Federal Administrative Court.
This isn't the first time Umwelthilfe has challenged the government's climate policy. In November 2023, they won a lawsuit, prompting the creation of an emergency climate program in the transport and building sectors. An appeal against this ruling is currently ongoing at the Federal Administrative Court.
According to Germany's Climate Protection Act, different sectors need to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by specific amounts from 2024 to 2030. The ultimate objective is to reduce these emissions by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990. The government managed to achieve around a 46% reduction in 2023.
The climate protection program is a comprehensive strategy developed by the federal government to meet these targets. It outlines various approaches in transportation, energy, buildings, industry, and agriculture.
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The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court's judgments critically assessed the German government's climate protection measures, finding them insufficient to meet the targets outlined in the climate protection program. German Environmental Aid (DUH) has been instrumental in challenging the government's climate policy, securing victories in two lawsuits and pushing for increased climate change mitigation efforts.
Source: www.ntv.de
