Statement on the draft bill of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection “Draft Federal Climate Change Adaptation Act” by the German Nature Conservation Ring (DNR) and the Independent Institute for Environmental Issues e.V.

DNR and UfU welcome the introduction of a federal Climate Adaptation Act, as a climate adaptation strategy is urgently needed in view of the global warming that has already occurred and the increase in climate and weather extremes such as heat waves, heavy precipitation, floods and droughts that can no longer be completely prevented. In order to tackle the climate crisis effectively and mitigate the growing risks to people and nature, the federal, state and local governments must work together before the window of opportunity for climate-resilient development closes. DNR and UfU welcome the approach of integrating mandatory, measurable targets into the precautionary climate adaptation strategy and defining measurable indicators for monitoring target achievement (Section 3 (1) to (3) of the draft bill). However, in order to emphasize the urgency of climate adaptation by the federal government, the deadline in Section 3 (1) of the draft bill should be brought forward by one year to 30 September 2024. The preparation of a monitoring report (Section 4 and Section 5 of the draft bill) is also welcomed. However, the ten-year cycle of the climate risk analysis should be at least halved and the damage surveys should be supplemented by the costs of biodiversity loss as well as socio-economic and social consequences.

To the entire statement: