Dear readers,

We are back with a recap of the year, reporting about some highlights from the German Environment Ministry this year.

Kicking things off, we have the adoption of the National Water Strategy in March to prevent potential water scarcity issues due to climate change. A recent report shows that Germany is among the regions most affected by water loss.

Later in the year, the German government adopted its first national climate adaptation law. The law creates the first strategic framework for precautionary climate adaptation on all administrative levels in Germany.

This year also marks the end of nuclear power use in Germany with the shutdown of the three last nuclear power plants, leading to a significant increase in nuclear safety.

Enjoy your festive season and happy New Year! 

Your BMUV public relations team

The international community successfully concluded negotiations on a new ocean protection agreement in New York. Germany and the EU pushed for an ambitious treaty. For the first time, binding rules governing the high seas will be possible; marine protected areas, environmental impact assessments and other measures will in future ensure better protection of endangered species and habitats.

The Federal Cabinet adopted the National Water Strategy in March, thus ushering in a new era of water transition in Germany. The strategy’s aim is to protect Germany’s natural water reserves, take precautionary measures to prevent water scarcity, avoid conflicts of use, tackle the backlog in modernising the water infrastructure and improve the status of water bodies and water quality. The German government is holding itself and all stakeholders accountable for ensuring sustainable water management by 2050 with a broad programme of measures. The strategy focuses on preventive measures to benefit people, animals and plants and has links to the Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity.

In March, the Federal Cabinet adopted the Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity proposed by Minister Steffi Lemke. The plan ensures that ecosystems such as forests, seas and oceans are strengthened, restored and preserved. In this way, they will continue to mitigate climate change naturally and provide habitats for plants and animals. One essential component of the plan is the restoration and rewetting of peatlands.

In 2011, the German Bundestag adopted legislation to accelerate the phase-out of nuclear power with a broad consensus. In autumn 2022, the German government and Bundestag took a decision to allow stretch-out operation of the last three German nuclear power plants until 15 April 2023 at the latest due to the uncertain energy situation. This deadline marked the end of nuclear power use in Germany, leading to a significant increase in nuclear safety. This step continues to ensure the very high level of energy security in Germany.

The high demand for raw materials in a largely linear economy is a main cause of the climate crisis and the threat to biodiversity. In line with the plans of the EU, the German government is striving to transform to a resource-efficient circular economy. The main goal is to reduce the consumption of primary raw materials and to close material cycles as much as possible. The targets and measures required to achieve this will be brought together in the German government’s National Circular Economy Strategy.

The new Climate Adaptation Act creates the first strategic framework for preventing and adapting to climate change at all administrative levels in Germany. It tasks the federal states with drawing up climate adaptation strategies at state level and developing climate adaptation plans for municipalities and districts. The German government is also required to pursue a precautionary strategy with measurable targets.

Under Germany’s Presidency, a new Global Framework on Chemicals and the Bonn Declaration were adopted to ensure safer chemicals management worldwide and prevent harm. The framework sets guidelines, supports countries that lack appropriate chemicals management and encourages the transition to circular economy.

Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke attended an international conference at the invitation of the Ukrainian environment minister. Issues at the event included assessing environmental damage in Ukraine and forward-looking planning for recovery. The BMUV’s support for Ukraine includes a contribution of 20 million euros for an emergency response fund. The establishment of a Climate Office will also help the Ukrainian government with a climate-friendly, green recovery and the EU accession process.

The UN Climate Change Conference COP28 in Dubai ended with a unanimous cover decision, phasing out fossil fuels and ushering in the age of renewables. For the first time, the parties agreed in a cover decision to stop deforestation, protect ecosystems and highlight circular economy as a solution. Minister Lemke underscored the following point: "Practical implementation in Germany and around the world remains our core mission. We have the solutions. I will now do everything in my power to ensure that we move forward quickly on implementation."