As a conservationist, Carsten Träger was a unique breed of politician. While nature conservation is not typically a favorite cause among lawmakers in most political factions, he lost his heart to the protection of our natural resources early on.
For him, nature conservation and species protection were not interchangeable topics, nor mere footnotes in Sunday speeches. He stood up for them – clearly, reliably, without imposing himself. And he always remained humane in the process: approachable and responsive, with a keen sense of what moves others – regardless of whether he was speaking with citizens, colleagues or fellow conservationists. Carsten Träger without nature conservation was never conceivable. Nature conservation without him is hard to imagine.
From his very first day in the Bundestag, a more sustainable future was Carsten Träger's focus. Starting in 2013 as the spokesperson for sustainability policy, he advocated for translating global goals into concrete policies for the people. In doing so, he was always convinced: what is needed are not flashy campaigns, but effective laws.
Carsten Träger was not a man of grand gestures. In an era where the loudest headlines often win out, he was someone who focused on impact – especially behind the scenes. For him, it wasn't the quick punchline that counted, but the result. He knew that polarizing may bring attention in the short term, but it doesn't get him to the finish line. That is why he united people rather than dividing them.
Within the German nature conservation alliance [Deutschen Naturschutzring], I saw Carsten Träger as a reliable partner. Someone who never shied away from a conversation, who was always available. He believed in the strength of the rule of law. For him, good laws and a strong partnership between citizens and the state were inseparable. For him, discussions and controversies were not annoying stumbling blocks. On the contrary, Carsten Träger saw citizens as the architects of a successful transformation toward a more sustainable, resilient future.
At the German federal environmental foundation [Deutschen Bundesstiftung Umwelt], I knew him to be a champion for the preservation of our natural heritage. As someone who wanted to understand why things go well – and sometimes not so well. As someone who – in what is perhaps not the most obvious choice for a Franconian – developed a special passion for the protection of our oceans. How far-sighted!
And I knew him as a friend. As someone who, despite his professional clarity, always remained a warm and down-to-earth person. As someone with whom I could often laugh.
Carsten Träger leaves behind a huge void – and a legacy that we must now pursue together: He advocated early on for treating nature not as an "if there's money left over" policy, but as what it is – the natural infrastructure that protects us. Bogs that store water. Floodplains that buffer against flooding. Forests that mitigate heat. For him, it was clear: this natural infrastructure is just as critical to the system as roads, power grids and everything else we rely on every day.
The fact that a law is now being introduced to strengthen this natural infrastructure is down to him. He brought this idea to the parliamentary group, to the coalition negotiations and to the government. Now, it is up to us to make this law a success. For Carsten Träger. But above all, for all of us.
Kai Niebert has been president of the German Nature Conservation Association since 2015. He knew Carsten Träger from many years of working together on environmental issues. Carsten Träger, the Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for the Environment, passed away unexpectedly last Saturday.