Dutch Government Addresses Environmental Aid Complaint and Criticism Toward Kretschmann
Blast from the Past! Green Government Under Fire Again
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The green-led state administration in BW is once more under the microscope, this time facing lawsuit from an environmental organization. The focal point? Missed climate targets and the absence of immediate action—nothing new in the green-black state's long-running battle with the DUH.
The German Environmental Aid (DUH) isn't messing around and has leveled the green-black state government with a lawsuit. It's all due to Baden-Württemberg's overshot its 2030 climate targets, says Jürgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of DUH, to our source. "The state is evading its own laws." This won't fly, states Resch firmly.
This legal action is aimed at ensuring that the BW coalition prioritizes effective climate measures before the state election in March 2026. Resch believes that the state has the power to achieve its climate goals through a vigorous building renovation offensive and significant expansion of rail and bus services, particularly in rural areas.
Previously, the association had given the government of Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) a time-bound ultimatum to implement the immediate climate protection program prescribed by law.
Kretschmann however, dismissed this request last week. "I don't tailor my politics based on lawsuit threats," said the Green. "I also don't see the need for this lawsuit, because we repeatedly take additional measures." He mentioned several initiatives, such as the promotion of hydrogen hubs, which are intended to expedite the switch from oil and gas to hydrogen, and the communal investment fund, which can provide extra funding for municipal climate protection efforts. Immediate action isn't essential, according to Kretschmann.
The Green head of government also rebuked the Environmental Aid, which has been striving to compel the government to act within the law for a long time. "I'm not certain that such lawsuits generate results. The grass doesn't grow faster when you pull it." Economic transformation processes simply take time, declared Kretschmann.
And the CDU Stands Firm by the Greens
Kretschmann receives backing from the coalition partner. The CDU shares the identical political stance as the Minister President, and necessary steps have already been taken in the climate action register, for example, in the transport sector, which are still in effect, says Raimund Haser, spokesman for environmental policy of the CDU faction.
Florian Hummel, BW state chairman of the CDU youth organization Young Union, concurs. He states that the state government should not allow itself to be driven by the threat of lawsuits and unrealistic deadlines. "Instead of symbolic politics such as driving bans and speed limits, we require an economic policy that encourages innovation."
Landesumweltministerin Thekla Walker (Greens) concedes that the self-set climate protection goals have been missed. Thus, additional measures are needed, according to Walker.
Sharp criticism from the Greens Youth and the Left
Green Youth BW echoes a "dismal report card". It's shocking that it's no longer possible to agree on basic facts with the CDU. The youth organization demands immediate measures as a result of the failed climate goals.
Similarly, Sarah Mirow, state spokesperson for the Left in Baden-Württemberg, claims, "The fact that a green-led government needs suing over climate issues is a scandal. Instead of taking responsibility, Kretschmann tries to evade the affair with populist arguments."
Kretschmann himself questions the practicality of specific climate goals and measures. "Germany emits approximately 2 percent of greenhouse gases, Baden-Württemberg even less." The real test, according to Kretschmann, is whether Germany, as a high-tech country, can secure prosperity by transforming economically. If it does, other countries will follow.
"AfD-like position", accuses DUH
Resch calls this argumentation "ludicrous". Focusing on Germany's overall emissions misses the point, as the Greens typically argue otherwise. "It's an AfD-like position that Kretschmann is pushing," stated the DUH managing director. Germany has lost its technological lead in many areas, claims Resch. Car manufacturers in BW have lost their electromobility edge due, in part, to insufficient pressure from the political sector. Kretschmann, according to Resch, is completely aligned with the car industry and the CDU.
Environmentalists' hopes rest on Özdemir
Resch holds high hopes for Cem Özdemir, the top Green Party candidate for the state election. Although Resch admits that Özdemir has also embraced the "Economy, Economy, Economy" motto for the campaign, he still anticipates Özdemir to steadfastly enforce the climate protection law. "That is the acid test of leadership ability. If I'm unwilling to specify how I intend to balance economy and climate protection, then that's no indication of government capability."
Green-black battle over climate protection
The Greens and the CDU have sparred for eight months over the future course of climate protection. The CDU side questions whether BW is actually headed for a "substantial goal failure" that would necessitate such immediate action. The CDU also highlights that many decisions concerning reducing CO2 emissions in specific sectors lie beyond the discretion of state ministries, falling instead to the federal government or the EU.
The green-black coalition had set itself the goal in the 2021 coalition agreement of making BW the leading climate protection state. Accordingly, the state is expected to be climate-neutral net by 2040, five years ahead of the federal government and ten years ahead of the EU. The interim target for BW is to reduce greenhouse gases by at least 65 percent compared to 1990 within five years. However, the climate protection and projection report published by leading research institutes last summer indicated that only a reduction of 53 percent would be achieved by 2030. Key areas with slow progress include transport, buildings, energy, and agriculture.
Environmental Association Demands 30 km/h Speed Limit in Built-up Areas
The Environmental Association has urged the state government to enact strong countermeasures. "A model trial of 100 km/h on all motorway sections and 80 km/h on all federal and state roads, as well as 30 km/h in urban areas, is necessary," they claim.
Kretschmann expressed surprise at these proposals, stating that the state was not responsible in both cases. Resch disagreed, stating that Baden-Württemberg could indeed apply to the federal government for traffic trials with a corresponding speed limit. Coordination with municipalities and the implementation of the truck toll on municipal streets—as stipulated in the BW coalition contract—is also important, according to Resch.
Second Climate Lawsuit Against BW
The Environmental Association had already successfully sued the state of Baden-Württemberg over climate issues. In November 2022, the Administrative Court of Appeal found a violation of the Climate Protection Act. The VGH demanded that the state adopt the integrated energy and climate protection plan outlined in the law.
The new green-black government, however, has announced that it will replace the integrated energy and climate protection concept with a new, publicly accessible climate measures register.
Contempt of Court Allegations against Kretschmann
Environmental activist Resch and Green politician Kretschmann have known each other for decades. Their relationship soured over disputes about driving bans for older diesel vehicles in Stuttgart. In 2019, the Environmental Association even applied for contempt of court against members of the Baden-Württemberg state government to enforce comprehensive driving bans for Euro-5 diesel vehicles. The government refused to implement such driving bans.
Kretschmann rebuked the Environmental Association's approach again last Tuesday, stating that the lawsuits had actually had little impact on air quality. "Ultimately, the main impact was the renewal of the Euro 6 fleet." Resch disagreed, citing studies that demonstrated driving bans would have resulted in improved air quality.
Resch Accuses Green Government Head of Being Overly Cozy with Car Makers
The head of the Environmental Association reminded everyone that Kretschmann stated at the beginning of his term in 2011 that "fewer cars are naturally better than more." However, he then faced criticism from the automotive industry. "He crawled on his knees to Daimler and apologized," said Resch. "Since then, he has not returned to a standing position." Kretschmann went on to back the car manufacturers on numerous occasions, "always on the wrong side."
Indeed, the number of cars on the state's roads increased from around 7 million in 2011 to nearly 8.6 million in 2024, according to figures from the Statistical Office. In 2024, almost 715,000 passenger cars had an alternative drive. The share of hybrid cars was 6.4 percent, and that of electric cars was 3.3 percent. Kretschmann stated that he had noticed "that the ramp-up in e-mobility is really starting now." He claimed that this was essential for traffic to become climate-neutral. "Customers will naturally buy these cars."
- The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has filed a lawsuit against the green-led state government of Baden-Württemberg (BW) due to the state's missed 2030 climate targets, as stated by Jürgen Resch, the Federal Managing Director of DUH.
- Resch believes that the BW coalition should prioritize effective climate measures before the state election in March 2026, suggesting that the state can achieve its climate goals through a vigorous building renovation offensive and significant expansion of rail and bus services, particularly in rural areas.
- In response, Minister President Winfried Kretschmann (Greens) has dismissed the need for this lawsuit, mentioning several initiatives such as the promotion of hydrogen hubs and communal investment fund, which he believes are sufficient measures to expedite the switch from oil and gas to hydrogen and provide extra funding for municipal climate protection efforts.
