Despite the ongoing risk of flooding in Germany, the federal government wants to save money on climate protection in order to plug the billion-dollar holes in the federal budget. What does that mean?
Despite the increased risk of severe weather as a result of climate change, the federal government wants to spend less money on natural climate protection in the future. Environment Ministry circles said that from 2024 to 2027 only around 3.5 billion euros would be available for the Natural Climate Protection Action Program.
Originally around 5 billion euros were planned for 2023 to 2027. The savings are intended to help plug billions in holes in the federal budget. The ministry said the cut was painful because the program was a central lever for adapting Germany to the climate crisis.
Marine conservation is also suffering
Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) wants to make nature more resilient with natural climate protection. For example, more water should be able to be stored, which can help in droughts as well as in heavy rain and floods, as is currently the case in Lower Saxony.
According to the federal government’s wishes, around 250 million euros less should be available for marine protection in 2024.
In mid-December, after long negotiations, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (Greens) and Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) agreed on savings in the 2024 budget. After the Karlsruhe budget ruling, they had to plug a financial gap of around 30 billion euros in the core budget and in the climate and transformation fund.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
