The German Association of Cities and Municipalities is calling for a multi-billion euro program to effectively manage the consequences of climate change. According to André Berghegger, the association’s CEO, the federal government and the states must “permanently and reliably provide the necessary funds for measures related to climate protection and adaptation to climate change.”
Berghegger estimated that the financial need for local authorities amounts to eight billion euros annually. He further stated that a total of approximately 40 billion euros will be needed over the next five years. He critically observed that current individual funding programs are achieving little more than marginal results.
Urging immediate action, Berghegger stressed that adapting to the effects of climate change is a massive societal responsibility that can only be solved and financed at the national level. Given the experiences of this summer, he believes the Bundestag and Bundesrat must now set the course, including enshrining climate protection as a communal task within the Basic Law. While the specific measures must still be determined locally by the municipalities, Berghegger strongly opposed the federal government imposing regulations on these communities from above.
