German state sued over failing to meet climate targets
The non-profit, which filed the charges at the state administrative court in Mannheim, aims to force state authorities to pass an action programme ahead of the next state elections in March 2026 to reach the self-imposed targets.
According to the Climate Protection Act of Baden-Würrtemberg, the state is to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions by 65% compared to 1990 levels by 2030, with the state to be climate neutral by 2040.
But last year, scientists projected that Baden-Würrtemberg, which is home to many of Germany's manufacturing businesses including big players in the car industry like Porsche and Mercedes, is set to miss the 2030 target.
The Climate Act also stipulates that further measures are to be implemented if an "imminent significant deviation from targets" is identified, but so far the state government - a coalition of the conservative Christian Democrats and the Greens - has failed to act.
DUH managing director Jürgen Resch accused the state government of "deliberately violating the law."
He proposed introducing a state-wide speed limit on the Autobahn motorway - a controversial issue in Germany - as well as the energy-efficient refurbishment of schools and daycare centres as additional ways to reduce emissions.
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