The President of the Federal Environment Agency advocates paying more attention to the topic of climate change adaptation. This is now just as important a keyword as climate protection itself.
According to the President of the Federal Environment Agency, Dirk Messner, climate change can no longer be completely avoided.
“We will only be able to limit climate change. Global temperatures will probably rise by more than two degrees if we do not radically improve. That is why climate adaptation is now just as important a keyword as climate protection itself,” said Messner in an interview with the German press -Agency. “We neglected that for a long time because we put all our energy into protecting the climate and curbing global warming.”
“So far no legally anchored task for municipalities”
In order to better adapt Germany to climate change, Environment Minister Steffi Lemke wants to introduce a law in the next few weeks. “In connection with this, the Federal Environment Ministry will develop a precautionary climate adaptation strategy with measurable goals by 2024,” said the Green politician of the German Press Agency. “Cities and municipalities are particularly affected when it comes to concrete precautions for the consequences of the climate crisis. However, climate adaptation has not yet been a legally anchored task for municipalities.” The Climate Adaptation Act stipulates that the federal states must ensure that this task is carried out.
In the opinion of UBA President Messner, adaptation to climate change is primarily in the hands of local authorities and states. “Nevertheless, the federal government must create a uniform national framework,” said Messner. “The federal states are already developing their own strategies and action plans. Of course, everything should fit together. That’s why the federal and state governments exchange information regularly and learn from each other.”
On Thursday and Friday (May 11/12), the environment ministers of the federal states and Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) will meet on the Petersberg near Bonn. Among other things, the conference should also deal with a secure water supply and natural climate protection measures – for example through moors.
Source: Stern
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