During the hearing of the Federal Administrative Court’s 2023 ruling on the coalition government’s climate‑protection plan, Green Party leader Felix Banaszak sharply criticized the federal government’s measures.
“Friedrich Merz and Katharina Reiche must finally abandon their ideological battle against climate and nature protection” Banaszak told the “Rheinische Post” on Saturday. “It’s time for them – or for us, whose expertise in the subject we can bring – to present a constitutionally compliant, robust climate‑protection program. Since years, the CDU/CSU and SPD have blocked progress on transport and building policy, then each time the courts demand the costs”.
The court ordered the government to expand its 2023 climate‑protection program. A shortfall of 200 million tonnes of CO₂‑equivalent must be closed to meet the 2030 interim target. Legally, the government is also required to submit a new program by 25 March, covering the 2030 target, the 2040 goal, and the yearly objectives from 2031 to 2040. The administration now has the discretion to decide which suitable measures it will use.
Banaszak offered concrete proposals. “Let’s start with an affordable Germany ticket, new incentives for heating‑system modernisation, and a swift rollout of all railway projects that are ready for construction – that will protect the climate and give a real boost to the economy”. He added, “If the environment minister is currently not working, we can also help the climate by preserving wetlands and creating attractive green belts in cities. With the special fund we have the financial capacity to do so – we’re not short of money”.