Germany Unveils €3.5B Plan to Fight Climate Change With Nature
Germany's Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider has unveiled an ambitious plan to harness nature's power in the fight against climate change. The 'Natural Climate Protection Action Program' has been active for two and a half years, with a substantial budget of over 3.5 billion euros allocated from 2024 to 2028. Schneider aims to bind more than 20 million tons of CO2 by 2045 through revitalizing degraded moors and improving the condition of forests, meadows, and soils.
The program, set to invest over 1.1 billion euros annually from 2028, includes 41 measures. Key strategies involve rewetting drained peat soils to reduce emissions by 28 million tons of CO2 equivalents by 2045, and promoting mixed forests and gentler soil treatment in agriculture. Currently, Germany's forests, moors, and soils emit significant greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Schneider's plan aims to save 77 million tons of CO2 by 2045 through ecosystem improvements. Drained peat soils alone account for over 50 million tons of CO2 equivalents per year, about seven percent of Germany's total annual greenhouse gas emissions.
Germany's goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65 percent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2045. Schneider's program plays a crucial role in this endeavor, utilizing natural climate protection measures to combat climate change. With over 3.5 billion euros allocated, the program is set to strengthen nature's role in this vital mission.
