Despite objections from the coalition partner, the Union, Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) remains committed to his plan to formally enshrine the adaptation to global heating consequences as a shared public responsibility across federal, state, and municipal levels within the German Basic Law. When asked in the “Rheinische Post” (Saturday edition) whether this initiative was settled, Schneider responded that it is not. He emphasized that while a constitutional amendment does not happen overnight, the goal is to establish a clear legal framework enabling all levels of government to cooperate more efficiently.
The coalition agreement already tasks them with reviewing the introduction of a joint task between the federal and state governments, a move supported by a unanimous decision from the Environment Ministers’ Conference of the Bund and Länder. According to the SPD politician, achieving this goal would allow federal funds to be used more effectively.
Schneider noted that based on his years in the Bundestag, he has witnessed numerous processes where initial positions were later revisited. “I am therefore currently in the mode of promoting and explaining this idea-and I intend to continue doing so,” he elaborated.
