Responsibilities and structure of the Federal Environment Ministry

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) is responsible for a range of government policies that are reflected in the name of the ministry itself. For almost 40 years, the ministry has been working to protect the public from environmental toxins and radiation, promote smart and efficient use of raw materials, advance climate action and ensure that natural resources are used in a way that safeguards animal and plant diversity and preserves their habitats.

The structure and name of the ministry was changed by the organisational decree of the Federal Chancellor of 6 May 2025. National and international climate policy were moved to the Federal Environment Ministry from the Federal Economic Affairs Ministry and the Federal Foreign Office. The ministry therefore shapes core issues for the future that focus on people and their living environments. It drives economic, environmental and social modernisation.

The Federal Environment Ministry uses a variety of instruments to fulfil its responsibilities:

1. One of its core responsibilities is to draw up legislation that shapes the legal framework in the policy areas above. This includes preparing regulatory legislation and transposing EU directives into national law. The Federal Environment Ministry drafts laws for the Federal Government which are then submitted to the Bundestag and, in appropriate cases, the Bundesrat for consent. The ministry is also responsible for issuing statutory instruments – subordinate legislation that specifies further details of a law, in particular with regard to enforcement. The ministry is involved in all legislative measures that have an impact on its areas of responsibility.
2. Funding for research and development, support for the market launch of innovative technologies: In addition to shaping the legal framework, the Federal Environment Ministry also has economic instruments at its disposal. Support programmes, for example, are financed through taxes and revenues from emissions trading, enabling members of the public, associations, companies and municipalities to receive financial support for specific projects.
3. National and international cooperation: Germany is a federal country and a member of the EU and numerous international organisations. Close cooperation at national and international level plays an important role in whether policies can be effectively designed under the ministry’s remit. This is why the Federal Government and the Länder coordinate structures on many issues, draw up programmes and develop joint strategies so that regulations can be implemented efficiently in Germany. In addition to permanent bodies such as the conference of German environment ministers, interministerial working groups and committees also convene. Many environmental and nature conservation issues can only be solved through intensive international cooperation. In this context, the ministry represents Germany in the European Union and international organisations (UN, OECD, WTO).
4. Communication for broad public participation and acceptance: The Federal Environment Ministry carries out comprehensive media and public relations work to make its activities and planned measures transparent. Members of the public can keep up-to-date with the latest ministry news through the ministry’s website or printed publications. Events and the continuous development of civic participation processes aim to enable the public to play an active role.

The minister, Carsten Schneider, is the head of the ministry and represents it in the federal cabinet. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth is his deputy. Like Minister Schneider, he has the authority to issue instructions to all ministry staff.

Parliamentary State Secretaries Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter and Carsten Träger are also part of the ministry’s leadership. They are both members of the German Bundestag and are the minister’s representatives in parliament, e.g. for making statements before the Bundestag or Bundesrat.