DUH considers the plan to also promote the purchase of hybrid vehicles from the Climate and Transformation Fund to be unconstitutional. In the event that it remains in the law, it intends to extend its constitutional complaint to this.
By Alexandra Endres
Contrary to what was previously thought, German forests have not been a source of CO₂ – even in years of drought. The soil stored as much carbon as was released by the trees. However, this surprising new finding will have little impact on LULUCF data, climate-related complaints and the government’s Climate Action Program.
By Bernhard Pötter
The German government has defended its climate policy before the Federal Constitutional Court in several expert opinions, which have been obtained by Table.Briefings, pointing to future adaptation options and the responsibility of other levels such as the European Union.
By Alexandra Endres
The German government is planning an amendment to the Environmental Appeals Act, with the aim of placing greater restrictions on environmental associations as plaintiffs. Environmental organizations are warning that their ability to legally enforce measures to protect the environment would be restricted.
By Alexandra Endres
More than 40 farmers from the Pakistani province of Sindh are demanding compensation for flood damage from the two companies. Because RWE and Heidelberg Materials are refusing their demands, the farmers have now filed a lawsuit.
By Alexandra Endres
Even if major developments are heading in the wrong direction, there have been some positive trends in climate policy: The annual COPs remain important, implementation is shifting to grassroots levels, climate lawsuits are successful and adaptation is proving worthwhile.
By Bernhard Pötter
The German government is playing down accusations of “clear shortcomings” in the amended Climate Action Act and refusing to take responsibility, write the plaintiff NGOs. The German Constitutional Court is set to rule on their complaints next year.
By Alexandra Endres
In statements to the German Constitutional Court, the German Government explains why it considers the amendment to the Federal Climate Change Act and government climate policy to be constitutional. The government's Climate Action Programme 2030, which is due to be published in March, could be decisive.
By Alexandra Endres
The ICJ’s climate report is not mentioned in the COP30 decisions. ICJ judge Brant nevertheless finds the court’s legal opinion reflected in the texts. The opinion will continue to provide a “permanent legal framework” for negotiations in the future.
By Alexandra Endres
The environmental organization Client Earth argues that the planned tender for eight gigawatts of gas-fired power capacity violates EU state aid law. Its complaint to the EU Commission is one of almost 3,000 climate complaints that have been submitted since the Paris Agreement.
By Lukas Bayer
