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Germany

Federative (16 Bundesländer)
Political Groups
G20, OECD, EU
Global Climate Risk Index
61.33
Targets
World Bank Income Group
High income
Share of Global Emissions
1.45%

Documents

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Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany
2025Legislative

The amendment to add a new Article 143h of the Basic Law, Germany's constitution, allows for a special fund with its own credit authorisation for additional investments in infrastructure and for additional investments to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, with a volume of up to €500 billion. The amendment also sets aside €100 billion from this special fund for climate pro...

German Climate Adaptation Strategy 2024
2024Policy

The strategy defines measurable goals for climate adaptation in Germany, a total of 33 goals and 45 sub-goals. Most goals are to be achieved by 2030, some by 2050. The objectives are assigned indicators to measure the achievement of objectives. The following applies: No additional bureaucratic burdens or reporting obligations will be created for citizens or companies. The...

Germany Biennial Transparency Report. BTR1
2024UNFCCC

Germany Biennial Transparency Report. BTR1

Legislative Process

Parliament is the most important organ of the legislative branch. The Federal Council is also involved in the legislative process as an organ through which the sixteen states participate in the legislation of the Federation. For federal laws to pass, they must obtain a majority in both chambers.

The Federal Government introduces most legislation, but the Federal Council and Parliament also have the right to introduce bills. After a first discussion in the Parliament the bill is passed to the Federal Council. A Mediation Committee resolves any differences over legislation between the two legislative chambers. Once the compromise bill that emerges from the Committee has been approved by a majority in both chambers and by the cabinet (comprising the Chancellor and cabinet ministers), it is signed into law by the Chancellor. The most recent election at a federal level was held in 2013 with the next scheduled in 2017.

The German Basic Law assigns no general legislative powers to the federal level in respect of environmental protection. Rather, the respective legisla­tive powers are separated for air pollution control, noise abatement, waste management, nature conservation and water supply. Environmental responsibili­ties that fall either to a limited extent under these sectoral responsibilities or are not covered by them at all, can under certain circumstances be covered by the legislative power of “law relating to economic affairs”. Legislation on climate change can in part be covered by the legislative area of “air pollution control” but must also be covered by the “law relating to economic affairs”. There is no uniform legislative area of climate change law.