Mercedes-Benz and the Green Battle
In a bid to push for environmental responsibility, Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) is taking the German automaker, Mercedes-Benz, to the Federal Court of Justice. This legal battle stems from CEO Ola Källenius' promise at the World Climate Conference two years ago, that Mercedes-Benz would transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030. However, the company continues to profit from the sale of conventional combustion cars.
Duhr's Stance: DUH's Managing Director, Jürgen Resch, has expressed his concerns. He notes, "In fact, Mercedes continues to rely on the sale of combustion cars." DUH now aims to use the BGH lawsuit to compel Mercedes-Benz to honor its commitment.
The Request: DUH wants the Dax group prohibited from selling conventional combustion cars that emit greenhouse gases after November 2030. This demand is based on the Paris Climate Protection Agreement and the Climate Protection Act.
Previous Attempts Unsuccessful: In the past, similar lawsuits against Volkswagen, BMW, and oil and gas company, Wintershall DEA, failed. The Stuttgart Higher Regional Court recently rejected DUH's claim, stating that the plaintiffs had not shown that the state was obligated to prohibit the car manufacturer from selling further combustion engines.
However, DUH's persistent fight for environmentally friendly practices should not be understated. Their history of taking legal action, such as against the German government for inadequate climate protection measures, showcases their commitment.
Mercedes-Benz: Mercedes-Benz's dependence on selling combustion cars runs contrary to the environmental commitments they made. DUH's legal battle is designed to compel the company to fulfill its promise of transitioning to all-electric vehicles by 2030.
Enrichment Insights:
DUH's legal actions are not limited to Mercedes-Benz. They have been instrumental in holding companies accountable for their environmental commitments. For instance, they successfully took the German government to court over climate protection measures. Mercedes-Benz, too, has pledged to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable mobility. About 75% of their new car sales will be electric vehicles by 2025, aimed at electrifying all their vehicle brands by 2030, depending on market conditions.
While there is no information about a specific legal dispute between DUH and Mercedes-Benz, their history of environmental activism and legal actions suggests that DUH might be engaged in monitoring and challenging companies to meet their environmental goals.
