The Spatial Planning Act incorporates several climate considerations. One of the guiding principles sets out that area is to be developed, safeguarded, and restored in its significance for the climate. The Act calls for spatial requirements of climate protection to be taken into consideration, both through climate mitigation and climate adaptation measures. To this end, the spatial conditions for the expansion of renewable energies, for efficient energy use, and for the preservation and development for carbon sinks must be created.
The Act also requires an environmental assessment to be carried out when preparing spatial development plans. The responsible body for conducting such an assessment must assess the likely significant effects of the spatial development plan on the climate.
The Spatial Planning Act was last amended in 2023 (‘Raumordnungsnovelle’) with the aim of modernising, simplifying, and accelerating the preparation of spatial plans and the spatial impact assessment procedures.
