Schneider to Propose Basic Law Amendment on Climate Adaptation

This can only succeed if the federal government, states, and municipalities work together on equal footing, she said. "But a constitutional amendment that gives the federal government ever more powers and leads to new jurisdictional disputes is the wrong path. Her comments come after Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider of the SPD had described such a step as "absolutely necessary.

Schneider has announced he will present a proposal for a corresponding amendment to the Basic Law in the coming months. The coalition agreement between the Union and SPD includes a review mandate for this purpose. Schneider argues that such an amendment would facilitate cooperation between the federal government, states, and municipalities.

Municipal umbrella organizations, the Greens, and the Left Party also support making climate adaptation and heat protection a joint task. Municipalities link this to demands for more financial support from the federal government for necessary measures. Proponents point to increasingly frequent heatwaves in Germany and their consequences. A constitutional amendment would require a two-thirds majority in the Bundestag.