Climate protection: Nature as an ally: What Schneider is planning in climate protection

In the fight against climate change, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider wants to strengthen nature as an ally. “Currently, our forests, bogs and floors (…) are also part of the problem, because unlike in the past, they emit greenhouse gases,” said the SPD politician in Berlin in the presentation of his paper on the “further development of the action program of natural climate protection”. Last year it was 50 million tons.

The forest in Germany is damaged by drought, especially pure softwood stocks suffer. Schneider hopes for his plans for backing the cabinet. His plans are not only about climate protection, the minister emphasized: It is also about the fact that the groundwater is still enough for the grandchildren, “that there will still be harvesting in the future and that it will remain bearable in summer because nature cools the landscape”.

It is a generation task, says Schneider. A “Future Commission Forest” is intended to discuss possible conflicts between forestry and climate protection. In general, more deciduous forest is to be created.

How much greenhouse gas Schneider wants to save with the help of nature

With natural climate protection, the condition of forests, meadows, bogs or water is improved so that they can save greenhouse gases or water or ensure cooling. Schneider wants to save a total of 77 million tons of CO2 by strengthening ecosystems by 2045. Germany would only achieve the goals for the area of ​​land use.

The action program has been around for two and a half years, it goes back to Schneider’s predecessor Steffi Lemke from the Greens. So far, it provides for more than 3.5 billion euros from 2024 to 2028. Schneider is now planning for the coming year with 821 million euros, so a total of 400 million euros are planned for the years 2028 and 2029 than with the previous government. According to the ministry, more than 1.1 billion euros would be available annually from 2028.

According to Schneider’s proposal, the re-interlocking of drainage mooring stems should save a total of 28 million tons of CO2 equivalents by 2045, of a total of 77 million tons in the area of ​​land use. For better comparability, other greenhouse gases are converted into CO2.

Dewatered mopeds are the most important emission source in the so -called land use sector, according to the paper. More than 50 million tons of CO2 equivalents went back to them every year, which currently corresponds to about seven percent of the total annual greenhouse gas emissions in Germany.

The “forest conversion” is intended to ensure that more more stable mixed forests are created. Schneider’s package with 41 measures also provides gentler tillage in agriculture and more sealing.

Germany has set itself the goal of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent by 2030 compared to 1990. By 2045, Germany wants to be climate -neutral, i.e. no more greenhouse gases than can be saved again.

More humus should make the ground better

According to the ministry, agricultural soils are also currently a source of greenhouse gases in Germany. It is about mineral floors that were essentially created from rock. If you contain more humus, including plant components, you also bind more greenhouse gases. For this purpose, for example, so -called agroforal systems are to be promoted: trees grow on part of field or field. That also helps against erosion, said Schneider.

In general, Schneider wants to support more sustainable forms of management and promote the development of appropriate products, for example from moor grass. He wants to avoid legal regulations. “We do not suggest regulatory law, but planning security, targeted incentives, fair offers and a common procedure with the country user,” he said on the subject of moor protection. This also means developing new business models, value chains and products.

The Minister received praise from the nature conservation association Germany. “We see necessary steps on a path, the climate, biodiversity and the economy in rural areas,” the organization explained. German environmental aid, on the other hand, missed more legal requirements for forestry. The Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation complained that Schneider is not ambitious in moor protection.

Federal Environment Ministry on the subject of the Ministry of Video Press Conference