Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) and Lower Saxony have reached an agreement, quashing their climate lawsuit against the state's climate protection strategy. The environmental organization, along with the Ministry of the Environment in Hanover, announced the settlement on Monday. DUH confirmed their decision not to pursue the lawsuit further.
The cornerstone of this settlement is the newly planned climate law by the red-green coalition. It addresses DUH's primary concerns, rendering a lawsuit redundant. Lower Saxony and Umwelthilfe drafted a joint declaration outlining the improvements brought about by the new climate law.
In April 2022, DUH filed a climate lawsuit against the state before the Lüneburg Higher Administrative Court, arguing that the existing climate protection measures were insufficient. At the time, the SPD was still in power with the CDU. The SPD and the Greens agreed on more ambitious climate targets in the new state government, moving climate neutrality from 2045 to 2040.
This settlement signifies a transformation in Lower Saxony's environmental policy. The new climate law successfully addresses DUH's key criticisms, making a lawsuit unnecessary. This revised environmental policy aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2040, an enhancement from the previous goal of 2045.
[Source: www.dpa.com]
It's worth noting that while the article does not directly address a new climate law in Lower Saxony addressing DUH's criticisms and causing the withdrawal of a climate lawsuit, sources do provide insight into climate adaptation and environmental policies in Germany:
- Climate Adaptation in Germany:
- The Climate Adaptation Act, implemented in 2024, introduces binding strategies with measurable targets to prepare the country for extreme weather events caused by global warming[1].
- The federal government mandates risk analyses and adaptation measures but lacks a unified financing instrument to expedite implementation[1].
- Environmental Policies in Germany:
- The European Commission's report flags ongoing difficulties in achieving good ecological status for surface water bodies in Germany due to diffuse nutrient pollution from agriculture and physical alterations to water bodies [3].
- General Climate Policy:
- Financing municipal climate adaptation plans remains a major hurdle in Germany. Municipalities lack the financial resources for significant investments, leading to discussions about constitutional amendments to secure long-term financial support[1].
However, for specific information regarding the new climate law in Lower Saxony addressing DUH's criticisms and leading to the withdrawal of a climate lawsuit, additional sources would be required.
