OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Deutscher Naturschutzring, Dachverband der deutschen Natur-, Tier- und Umweltschutzverbände (DNR) e.V.

DNR

DNR is Germany's umbrella organization of nature, animal, and environmental protection associations, advocating for biodiversity, sustainable economy, and climate action.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Martin Günther (Member of the European Parliament) and WWF European Policy Programme and

18 Nov 2025 · Exchange

German environmentalists urge binding EU targets for resource consumption

6 Nov 2025
Topic — A legislative initiative to improve resource efficiency and circularity across the European Union.
Message — DNR demands binding targets for resource consumption and mandatory waste prevention goals. They advocate for harmonized producer responsibility rules and tax breaks for circular services like repairs.123
Why — These rules would decrease ecological damage and reduce dependency on volatile global raw materials.4
Impact — Producers of unsustainable goods and online platforms face higher fees and stricter liability.56
Read full response

Meeting with Hildegard Bentele (Member of the European Parliament) and European Environmental Bureau and

25 Sept 2025 · Climate target /ETS2

German environmentalists urge EU to adopt 95% climate target

16 Sept 2025
Topic — The consultation concerns amending the European Climate Law to establish a 2040 target.
Message — The organization calls for a 95% emissions reduction target for 2040 as an absolute minimum. They demand separate targets for emission reductions and carbon removals to ensure transparency. Additionally, they reject the use of international credits to meet climate goals.123
Why — This would direct billions of euros into domestic decarbonization rather than foreign projects. It also forces innovation and structural changes within European industries.45
Impact — Sectors like transport and agriculture would lose the ability to relax their targets. Industrial companies would also face a faster phase-out of free pollution permits.67
Read full response

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament) and Germanwatch

10 Sept 2025 · Austausch

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Germanwatch

10 Sept 2025 · Klimaziel 2040

German environmental umbrella DNR urges robust EU civil society protection

5 Sept 2025
Topic — The European Commission is developing a strategy to strengthen and protect civil society engagement.
Message — DNR demands a binding agreement for structured dialogue and systematic assessments of how EU laws impact civic space. They also call for increased funding and legal protection for environmental defenders.123
Why — The organization would secure stable funding for advocacy and gain legal protection against harassment and lawsuits.456
Impact — Politicians and business interests seeking to curb NGO influence or limit protest rights would be constrained.78
Read full response

Meeting with Delara Burkhardt (Member of the European Parliament)

4 Sept 2025 · circular economy

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament) and Germanwatch and

2 Sept 2025 · Exchange on Clean Industrial Deal and Decarbonisation Accelerator Act

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and Germanwatch and

8 May 2025 · to follow

Meeting with Peter Van Kemseke (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen) and Germanwatch and

8 May 2025 · Exchange of views on the 2040 climate target, the EU Green Deal and the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Multiannual Financial Framework

Meeting with Julia Lemke (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Terhi Lehtonen (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez), Thomas Auger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera Rodríguez) and

8 May 2025 · Climate neutrality, environmental compatibility, competitiveness and resilience

Meeting with Vesa Terävä (Head of Unit Secretariat-General)

7 May 2025 · European Green Deal

Meeting with Andrea Wechsler (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Apr 2025 · EU Environmental policy

Meeting with Oliver Schenk (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

1 Apr 2025 · Prioritäten der europäischen Umweltpolitik

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Jan 2025 · Panel Green Deal

Meeting with Sebastian Everding (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and Environmental Justice Foundation

16 Jan 2025 · Meerespolitik

Meeting with Carola Rackete (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Dec 2024 · Resource reduction and fossil fuel phase out

Meeting with Jutta Paulus (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Dec 2024 · Naturschutz- und Klimapolitik in der kommenden Legislaturperiode

Meeting with Manuela Ripa (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Dec 2024 · Umweltthemen

Meeting with Martin Häusling (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

11 Dec 2024 · Treffen mit DNR Mitgliedern

Meeting with Christian Ehler (Member of the European Parliament) and Greenpeace European Unit and

11 Dec 2024 · Climate, Energy and Industrial Policy

Meeting with Andrea Wechsler (Member of the European Parliament)

11 Dec 2024 · EU Policy

Meeting with Delara Burkhardt (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Dec 2024 · priorities of the new legislature

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament)

10 Dec 2024 · Green Deal

Meeting with Peter Liese (Member of the European Parliament)

2 Jul 2024 · Austausch

DNR Urges EU Commission to Withdraw Higher Nitrate Limits

16 May 2024
Topic — This consultation proposes amending nitrogen fertilizer limits set within the Nitrates Directive.
Message — The DNR rejects raising nitrogen limits to 270 kg/ha and urges withdrawal. The undefined term 'Renure' might permit excessive use of conventional organic fertilizers. They advocate waiting for the ongoing fitness check before weakening any standards.123
Why — Maintaining current limits avoids the weakening of essential European environmental standards.4
Impact — Ecosystems and water quality suffer from excessive nitrate use in agricultural production.5
Read full response

Meeting with Astrid Dentler (Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra), Olivia Gippner (Cabinet of Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra)

16 Apr 2024 · 2040 climate target

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

9 Apr 2024 · NGO Exchange

Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

18 Mar 2024 · 2040-Klimaziel, EP-Wahlen

German conservationists demand binding targets for EU soil health

2 Nov 2023
Topic — A legislative proposal to monitor and restore soil health across the EU.
Message — DNR requests binding 2050 targets and mandatory plans for member states to improve soil. They advocate for strict rules making polluters pay for damage and protecting biodiversity.12
Why — The group would see its environmental protection goals fulfilled through stronger legal requirements.3
Impact — Polluters and developers would face higher costs and stricter limits on land development.45
Read full response

Meeting with Karsten Lucke (Member of the European Parliament)

16 Oct 2023 · NGTs

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Germanwatch and WWF Deutschland

31 May 2023 · Strommarktdesign

Meeting with Jens Geier (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and E.ON SE and Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V.

27 Apr 2023 · Exchange on the gas market directive (staff level)

Meeting with Stefanie Hiesinger (Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

27 Apr 2023 · Climate & Energy policy

Meeting with Tiemo Wölken (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

25 Apr 2023 · Aktuelle Themen der Klimapolitik

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Germanwatch

21 Sept 2022 · CO2-Bepreisung

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and Germanwatch

20 Sept 2022 · Fit-for-55, ETS

Meeting with Delara Burkhardt (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

1 Jun 2022 · LULUCF

Meeting with Michael Bloss (Member of the European Parliament) and Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment) and

20 May 2022 · ETS

Meeting with Jutta Paulus (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur) and Environmental Defense Fund Europe and STEAG GmbH

2 May 2022 · Methane regulation

Meeting with Martin Häusling (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Apr 2022 · Austausch zum Thema Ukrainekrieg und GAP

Meeting with Markus Pieper (Member of the European Parliament, Rapporteur) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

27 Apr 2022 · RED III

Meeting with Delara Burkhardt (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Apr 2022 · Fit for 55

Meeting with Bernd Lange (Member of the European Parliament, Committee chair) and Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. and

26 Apr 2022 · General exchange of view

Response to Soil Health Law – protecting, sustainably managing and restoring EU soils

15 Mar 2022

Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) welcomes that the European Commission will propose a soil-health-law and underlines the importance of soil as a limited resource. • Soil protection within a legally binding European framework is urgently needed across Europe and must be put into effect through a European soil-health-law. • The protection of soil biodiversity and the preservation and enhancement of soil ecosystem services in general must be integrated into all policy areas. The long-term preservation of soil life and soil fertility must be given priority over short-term productivity gains, soil compaction and excessive sealing. A soil-health-law must take proper account of the diversity of natural soils and not only focus on agriculturally productive soils. It is precisely the biological diversity of soils in marginally productive locations that is threatened by the harmonisation of site requirements. Soil erosion must be prevented in the long term, including with regard to its negative impact on neighbouring ecosystems, especially on water bodies. • In order to obtain comparable data on changes to the soil across the EU, permanent observation and monitoring plots should be established across the whole territory. This will help to close gaps in our knowledge with respect to soil protection. The standardisation of soil biology data can be achieved by means of a „soil biodiversity standard“. The collection of data can be effectively monitored by introducing a soil passport, for example. • The soil-health-law must contain specific binding targets for good ecological soil health and regulations on land use, measures and support programmes. Specifications for EU-wide quality requirements, e.g. with regard to pollution, sealing, humus content, microplastics and biodiversity, with implementation deadlines, must be linked to precautionary measures. In addition, a legally enforceable definition of „good professional land use“ must be established. • Preventive measures for soil protection are more cost-effective than the removal of pollutants, contaminants and pesticides. It is therefore important to prevent soil contamination and avoid soil degradation. Damaged soils must be restored. • The principles of good farming practice must be adapted throughout the EU, and set out in the Common Agricultural Policy, in such a way that they ensure sufficient protection of the environment, and in particular of soil biodiversity. Locally appropriate soil management must be based on a diverse crop rotation pattern, water absorption and retention capacity, erosion control measures such as year-round soil cover, a drastic reduction in pesticide use, prioritisation of organic fertilisers and an increase in organic farming. Incentives for the expansion and preservation of grassland and permanent pasture should be created. The conversion of arable land back into species-rich permanent pasture and the extensive grazing of grassland should be encouraged in suitable locations (e.g. on slopes, and on soils with a soil rating of less than 30 points). • Any form of land use that leads to humus depletion must be avoided, not only in order to protect the climate. This applies above all to agriculture on organic soils. Drainage, breaking up and use irreversibly destroy these soils, and at the same time release up to 40 t CO2 per hectare per year. DNR is supporting the attached position paper.
Read full response

Response to New EU Soil Strategy - healthy soil for a healthy life

3 Dec 2020

The EU has already recognised the need for a uniform European soil protection regime in the 6th and 7th Environment Action Programmes. However, an EU framework directive on soils has so far failed to materialise due to the resistance of certain Member States. With regard to the update of the Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection scheduled for 2021 under the Biodiversity Strategy, Deutscher Naturschutzring calls for the following: • Soil protection within a legally binding European framework is urgently needed across Europe and must be put into effect through a European soil framework directive, for example. • The protection of soil biodiversity, which has been neglected until now, and the preservation and enhancement of soil ecosystem services in general must be integrated into all policy areas. The long-term preservation of soil life and soil fertility must be given priority over short-term productivity gains, soil compaction and excessive sealing. A soil protection strategy must take proper account of the diversity of natural soils and not only focus on agriculturally productive soils. It is precisely the biological diversity of soils in marginally productive locations that is threatened by the harmonisation of site requirements. Soil erosion must be prevented in the long term, including with regard to its negative impact on neighbouring ecosystems, especially on water bodies. • In order to obtain comparable data on changes to the soil across the EU, permanent observation and monitoring plots should be established across the whole territory. This will help to close gaps in our knowledge with respect to soil protection. The standardisation of soil biology data can be achieved by means of a "soil biodiversity standard". The collection of data can be effectively monitored by introducing a soil passport, for example. • The Thematic Strategy for Soil Protection must contain specific binding targets for good ecological soil health and regulations on land use, measures and support programmes. Specifications for EU-wide quality requirements, e.g. with regard to pollution, sealing, humus content, microplastics and biodiversity, with implementation deadlines, must be linked to precautionary measures. In addition, a legally enforceable definition of "good professional land use" must be established. • Preventive measures for soil protection are more cost-effective than the removal of pollutants, contaminants and pesticides. It is therefore important to prevent soil contamination and avoid soil degradation. Damaged soils must be restored. • Public awareness of the need for soil protection should be raised. • The principles of good farming practice must be adapted throughout the EU, and set out in the Common Agricultural Policy, in such a way that they ensure sufficient protection of the environment, and in particular of soil biodiversity. Locally appropriate soil management must be based on a diverse crop rotation pattern, water absorption and retention capacity, erosion control measures such as year-round soil cover, a drastic reduction in pesticide use, prioritisation of organic fertilisers and an increase in organic farming. Incentives for the expansion and preservation of grassland and permanent pasture should be created. The conversion of arable land back into species-rich permanent pasture and the extensive grazing of grassland should be encouraged in suitable locations (e.g. on slopes, and on soils with a soil rating of less than 30 points). • Any form of land use that leads to humus depletion must be avoided, not only in order to protect the climate. This applies above all to agriculture on organic soils. Drainage, breaking up and use irreversibly destroy these soils, and at the same time release up to 40 t CO2 per hectare per year.
Read full response

Response to EU Forest Strategy

3 Dec 2020

The main objectives of the new EU Forest Strategy are effective afforestation and conservation and restoration of forests in the EU to increase their potential to absorb and store CO2, to promote the bio-economy and to reduce the impact and extent of fires, while protecting biodiversity. Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) is calling for: • Reforestation and forest restructuring measures must be geared to nature conservation objectives. It is important to avoid non-native stands and to prevent the afforestation of protected biotopes. • In line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy, the implementation of the targets for at least 30 percent protected areas and 10 percent strictly protected areas should involve a particular focus on forests. This emphasis must also be taken into account in Germany, so that protection is spread across all natural areas. • The planting of at least three billion new trees in the EU by 2030, as announced in the Biodiversity Strategy, must be carried out in line with ecological principles. Only indigenous and site-appropriate tree species should be planted. Protected biotopes must also be excluded from plant-ing in areas designated as forests. Overall, planting should focus on urban and peri-urban areas. • The maintenance of protected special biotopes in the forest, e.g. cutting back of young trees or grazing of heaths, nutrient-poor grasslands, moors, etc., must also be possible in the future with-out replacement afforestation. • During afforestation, care must be taken to ensure that closer-to-nature stands are created. In the case of new forests, for example, attention must be paid to loosely defined forest edges with a species-rich shrub layer. In commercial forests, too, at least 20 percent of the newly established forest areas should develop through natural regeneration. • The EU needs to improve the quantity, quality and resilience of its forests, in particular through bi-odiversity-enhancing methods such as nature-based forestry practices. Natural regeneration must be given priority over planting in site-appropriate forests. The population of wildlife species that cause damage through browsing must not be artificially maintained by the provision of additional feed. Soil protection is one of the foundations of closer-to-nature forestry. Compaction of the soil by heavy machinery must be avoided. • Traditional forms of forest management particularly conducive to biodiversity, such as coppicing or compound coppicing and pasture woodland, should be supported and encouraged. • All remaining old-growth and primeval forests in the EU must be monitored and strictly protected. • As a contribution against global warming, intact forests with little felling and dead wood left lying around can contribute to cooling, because decayed wood stores a lot of water and the canopy re-duces evaporation from the soil. • Inputs of pesticides and nitrogen, which have been a major burden on forests for decades, must be reduced; here too, the reduction target of 50 percent by 2030 applies. • The role of forests in the regional water balance must be regenerated and restored. Existing drain-age ditches, especially in carrs and humid forests, should be actively dammed. Drainage-free de-pressions, forest moors and small water bodies in forests should be restored to their natural state. The restoration and reactivation of riparian forests must also be pursued, thereby creating syner-gies between climate protection, water and nature conservation, forestry and flood protection.
Read full response

Response to Updating Member State emissions reduction targets (Effort Sharing Regulation) in line with the 2030 climate target plan

25 Nov 2020

Keep ESR and retain nationally binding targets for the majority of GHG emissions Member States will take no responsibility for achieving emission reductions in current non-ETS sectors if they are removed from national obligations under the ESR, undermining the adoption and strengthening of additional and complementary measures. Therefore, option 1 which foresees a phase out of the entire ESR is absolutely unacceptable and nationally binding targets need to be maintained and increased in order to contribute to collective overall emission reductions of at least 65%. Option 3 also significantly reduces the accountability of member states in case certain sectors were to be removed from the ESR’s scope. An alternative option to set economy-wide nationally binding targets per member state towards climate neutrality is missing and could also be considered by the Commission. ESR reform as part of a package to collectively increase climate ambition Climate action in Europe remains off track to reach the Paris Agreement objective of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Overall emission cuts of at least 65% are required to bring the EU on a path to fully honor its international commitments. In order to deliver the necessary emission reductions in a socially fair and cost-effective manner, a holistic and comprehensive approach towards the entire policy architecture is needed. Do not expand the EU ETS to emissions from transport and buildings DNR does not support the inclusion of emissions from road transport and buildings into the EU ETS. Fossil fuel combustion emissions in these sectors have much higher abatement costs than the current ETS carbon price level, particularly in the road transport sector. Carbon pricing is essential in ensuring the polluter pays principle. However, carbon pricing alone will be insufficient to address key non-market barriers to deploying clean energy solutions at scale in the transport and building sectors. For example, for buildings, these barriers include the lack of tailored advice for renovations that makes it difficult for citizens to act. The Commission’s own analysis shows that simply shifting these emissions into the ETS achieves less emission reductions in these sectors than the consideration of more regulatory policy options such as increased modal shift, infrastructure development, traffic management systems and emission standards. Align climate ambition for current ESR sectors with the Paris Agreement In case the current scope is maintained, the ESR needs to significantly deliver higher overall emission reductions in order to contribute to a Paris Agreement compliant emission reduction path. In order to achieve the at least 65% emission cuts needed to honor the 1.5°C target the overall ESR target should be increased accordingly. Close the loopholes Under the current ESR member states can use loopholes that allow them to cover gaps in actual emission reductions for achieving their 2030 ESR targets, for example by using offsets from the land use sector or surplus allowances from the EU ETS. DNR calls for rejecting the possibility for countries to use offsets from the land use sector or surplus allowances from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to reduce efforts in the non-ETS sectors. In addition, the bonus granted to low-income member states should be limited to 20 million allowances in total. Ensure that flexibilities do not weaken the overall targets Member states can currently borrow, bank and transfer annual emission allocations in order to meet their national 2030 ESR target. In order to avoid delaying mitigation efforts, limit the risk of compliance problems at the end of the ESR period and prevent the build-up of an allowance surplus over time, banking should be limited to 5% of a member state’s budget for that year while borrowing capabilities should be limited to 2%.
Read full response

Response to Updating the EU Emissions Trading System

25 Nov 2020

The EU needs to cut emissions by at least 65% in 2030 to honor the Paris Agreement objective of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5°C. In order to deliver the necessary emission reductions in a socially fair and cost-effective manner, a holistic and comprehensive approach towards the entire policy architecture is needed. The EU ETS is but one element in a package and needs to be complemented by a significantly strengthened set of climate and energy policy. In order to contribute to an overall EU emission reduction target of at least 65%, the respective targets of the ETS and ESR have to be ramped up. The relative share of emission reductions will depend on whether the EU carbon market will be expanded to include emissions from the transport and buildings sectors which are currently covered by the ESR and the interlinkage between the two regulatory acts. CAN Europe does not support the inclusion of emissions from road transport and buildings into the EU ETS. The highest abatement potential comes from a combination of rebasing the cap and increasing the linear reduction factor (LRF). The cap of the ETS continues to exceed real emissions, building up a structural surplus that the market stability reserve (MSR) alone will not fully address. The European Commission estimates that this gap amounted to around 250 million allowances in 2019, but the current pandemic might increase this gap even further. In order to ensure that the cap better reflects real emission levels, the cap should be readjusted through a one-off reduction at the earliest date possible. The later a revised LRF is applied, the higher it has to be in order to meet the desired emission reduction levels in 2030. Therefore, the LRF should be applied as soon as possible and by 2023 the latest. In order to achieve the necessary emission reductions until 2030, it should be substantially increased and combined with rebasing in 2023. Without rebasing or with the new factor applied later than 2023, the LRF would need to be considerably higher. The ETS remains alarmingly vulnerable to external shocks. In order to support the system’s resilience and adaptiveness, an EU-wide, steadily rising carbon floor price should be introduced. Unilateral cancellation of allowances in case of additional national measures should become mandatory and the MSR needs to be reinforced in a threefold way: First, the intake rate should be set to at least 36% after 2023 in order to ensure a rapid decline of surplus allowances. Second, the linear reduction factor needs to apply to the reserve’s thresholds that determine the intake and release of permits. Third, allowances that are kept in the reserve for more than five years should be permanently cancelled. Today, emissions from international maritime and aviation are insufficiently regulated. The EU ETS needs to apply to all emissions from intra and extra international transport destined to or starting in Europe. The stop-the-clock-derogation needs to be lifted and grandfathering of allowances phased out. Currently, 94% of industrial emissions under the ETS are covered by free pollution permits, despite recommendations from the EU Court of Auditors to reform the system of protection against carbon leakage. Given the lack of evidence of climate policy induced carbon leakage, the current handout of free allowances needs to stop. The ETS should shift towards 100% of allowance auctioning across all covered sectors, in particular if a carbon border adjustment mechanism were to be implemented. All ETS funds and auctioning revenues should be earmarked to drive climate action domestically or internationally. Auctioning revenues should be fully used as direct investments into renewable and energy saving technologies, non-fossil and climate-neutral technologies as well as adaptation action. In addition, the ETS Directive must subject the use of biomass and the funding of bioenergy to comprehensive sustainability criteria and correct carbon accounting.
Read full response

Response to Review of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency

21 Sept 2020

Overall, Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) believes that the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), like the rest of the elements of the Clean Energy for All package, is not consistent with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. Therefore, DNR fully supports the initiative to evaluate and revise the EED with the aim to increase its ambition. Energy efficiency offers multiple benefits such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions, lower dependency on energy imports, job creation and improved health. The Impact Assessment accompanying the Commission’s proposal on the EED review in 2016 showed that higher levels of ambition deliver greater benefits. As action in the next 10 years will be decisive in reaching the 1.5°C objective, the EU needs to increase its 2030 climate target to at least 65% by the end of 2020. We recognise that serious steps in this direction present a challenge for some actors. This effort should be complemented by the increase of the 2030 energy efficiency target, which is currently not in line with the Paris Agreement goals. DNR supports an increase of the level of ambition of the EU’s 2030 energy targets, to at least 45% for energy savings and to at least 50% for renewable energy. Both targets should be binding. Except from the revision of the energy efficiency target, the roadmap also indicates a few provisions in the EED related for example to the renovation of public buildings or heating and cooling that are important to highlight. The recent Commission progress report on energy efficiency indicates that not all countries provided complete data on the implementation of Article 5 (renovation of public buildings). This provision needs to be reformed in order to have a meaningful impact. The scope of the 3% renovation requirement in Article 5, which should also be linked to the depth of renovation, should expand to all public buildings, with a focus on schools, hospitals and social housing, while the possibility to follow an alternative approach to renovations should be deleted. Further measures for the renovation of other sections of the building stock alongside with provisions for financial and technical support to help overcome implementation barriers should be introduced. Furthermore, the heating and cooling provisions of Article 14, which are largely linked to promoting combined heat and power (CHP) generation, often operated on fossil fuels, are outdated. They need to be revised so that they facilitate the energy transition and the achievement of the EU longterm climate goals. This should be done on the basis of a comprehensive approach that aims to significantly reduce energy demand, phase out fossil fuels and move towards a 100% renewable energy system. In this context, also the coherence with other EU initiatives that are currently ongoing such as the EU strategy on smart sector integration and the Renovation Wave is important. Regarding the Energy Savings Obligation (Article 7), it should be ensured that this tool fulfils its objective to accelerate the uptake of energy efficiency measures and achieve more end use energy savings. The European Commission should ensure clear and proper reporting on the progress of implementation of the measures foreseen and their delivered energy savings, reinforcing the relevant reporting and monitoring requirements linked to Article 7. Furthermore, in order to contribute to achieving the EU climate goals, the implementation of Article 7 should be guided by a forward looking perspective and thus not promote fossil fuel technologies used in buildings for heating and cooling. Achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement requires the reform of all climate and energy policies. Underpinning the energy efficiency policy framework through a dedicated mix of EU and national strong binding national targets and robust policy measures will help mobilise the investments needed for the transition to a fully renewable and efficient energy system.
Read full response

Response to Revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001

21 Sept 2020

To ensure we reach net zero emissions well before 2050, EU Member States need to phase out fossil fuels and commit to a strong reduction in energy consumption and a transition of our energy system to one that is 100% based on sustainable renewable energy sources (RES) by 2040. The current 2030 EU RES target is not in line with the Paris Agreement objective to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. In the coming decade and beyond, EU Member States need to significantly increase the deployment of sustainable renewable energy. DNR calls for an EU binding target for the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption of at least 50% by 2030. In addition to the increased level of ambition, the current RED needs to be implemented and revised so it becomes the driver of a comprehensive policy framework supporting the further deployment and uptake of sustainable renewable energy: Full implementation of the existing legislation needs to speed up, to pave the way for higher ambition. This means better addressing barriers that hinder energy efficiency, low carbon products and processes, and renewable energy investments, starting immediately with maximising the opportunities offered by the policies and measures that are already in place. Even though the national contributions in the NECPs could be sufficient to slightly surpass the current 2030 EU RES target as indicated by the EC’s analysis, it is obvious that some Member States turn a blind eye to the minimum commitment indicated in the country-specific benchmarks. The current system fails to push these governments to higher ambition. Therefore we call for binding national targets to ensure an adequate level of ambition for all countries and strong tools to deliver them. A swift and strong increase of renewable energy use requires an integrated energy system where electricity, heat, transport, non-fossil gas, buildings and industry sectors interact more closely to use energy infrastructure more efficiently. The guiding principle of sector integration should be to facilitate the quick upscaling of RES in all sectors while prioritising energy savings and energy efficiency. The RED revision should support the adoption of this guiding principle in legislation. Electrification of industrial processes, low temperature heat and mobility based on renewable electricity allows for a quick upscaling of renewables and primary energy savings. Only those hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and chemicals or aviation, long-distance shipping and heavy-duty road transport, could partly rely on non-fossil gases (renewable hydrogen, based on surplus renewable electricity or produced through additional renewable generation capacities). Dedicated support schemes should incentivise additional renewable generation capacities to feed electrolysers that cover the demand for renewable hydrogen. We do not support general quota targets for different gaseous energy carriers as they would not target the necessary market introduction of renewable hydrogen. The guiding principle of sector integration is not to boost any kind of gaseous energy carrier but to enhance renewables and efficiency. The EU’s inadequate sustainability criteria for bioenergy need to be reformed, in order to ensure bioenergy is only incentivised where it delivers significant, near-term reductions in emissions compared to fossil fuels. A cap to limit the use of biomass for energy production to levels that can be sustainably supplied needs to be introduced. Criteria should disallow the use of feedstocks that are likely to increase emissions compared to fossil fuels (incl. crop-based biofuels, energy crops, tree trunks, stumps) and ensure efficient use of biomass resources. EU policies including the RED should not be based on the false assumption that forest biomass is carbon neutral and ensure emissions from biomass burning are fully accounted for.
Read full response

Response to Strategy for smart sector integration

8 Jun 2020

In einem integrierten Energiesystem interagieren die Angebots- und die Nachfrageseite stärker miteinander, um die rasche Systemintegration der erneuerbaren Energien zu erleichtern. Auf der Grundlage des Zusammenspiels von Erzeugern und Verbrauchern in einer gut vernetzten Energieinfrastruktur können ineffiziente, auf fossilen Brennstoffen basierende Technologien und Reservekapazitäten schneller auslaufen. Eine fortgeschrittene Integration der Energienachfrage der verschiedenen Sektoren verhindert die gesellschaftlichen Kosten von ‘stranded assets‘. Sie ermöglicht eine effizientere Nutzung der bestehenden Infrastruktur, wobei das Potenzial der Laststeuerung und anderer Flexibilitätsoptionen genutzt werden kann. Zu den Hauptmerkmalen eines solchen Systems gehören: a) Volle Vereinbarkeit mit den Zielen des Pariser Abkommens und der Klimaneutralität deutlich vor 2050, besser 2040; b) Energy efficiency first: einschließlich der Reduktion der Energienachfrage in allen Sektoren aufgrund gesteigerter Ambitionen und der Umsetzung von stärkeren Strategien und Maßnahmen zur Energieeffizienz. c) Elektrifizierung des Heizungs-, Verkehrs- und Industriesektors auf der Grundlage von Strom aus erneuerbaren Energien. Der Stromsektor kann auf der Grundlage des Einsatzes erneuerbarer Energien vollständig dekarbonisiert werden. Auch der Heizungssektor sollte zu 100% auf erneuerbaren Energien basieren. In diesem Zusammenhang sollten Gebäude, nachdem sie durch tiefgreifende energetische Sanierungsmaßnahmen modernisiert wurden, ein integraler Bestandteil des Energiesystems sein. Dasselbe gilt für Teile des Verkehrssektors (hauptsächlich Individual- und Personenverkehr), welcher soweit möglich verlagert werden sollte (Straße auf Schiene, öffentlicher Verkehr und Radfahren, Carsharing). Die am schwersten zu dekarbonisierenden Sektoren wie bestimmte Industriesektoren (Stahl, Chemie) oder die Luftfahrt, der Langstreckenseeverkehr und der Schwerlastverkehr auf der Straße könnten auf gasförmige (Wasserstoff) oder flüssige (synthetische) Kraftstoffe aus erneuerbarem Strom zurückgreifen. Sinkende Wind- und Solarstrompreise konkurrieren mit der auf fossilen Brennstoffen basierenden Stromerzeugung, was die direkte und indirekte Elektrifizierung aus erneuerbaren Energien zu einer soliden Säule eines zukünftigen Energiesystems macht. d) Die Einführung von Lastmanagement in Kombination mit anderen Flexibilitätsoptionen wie Strom- und Wärmespeicherung oder kurzfristig abrufbare erneuerbare Energien wie Biogas erleichtert die Netzintegration zunehmender variabler erneuerbarer Energiequellen wie Photovoltaik und Windenergie. Die Einführung eines systematischen Energieeffizienz-Checks im gesamten Energiesystem und auf horizontaler Ebene ist ein kosteneffizienter und intelligenter Ansatz, der bei der Gestaltung der künftigen Energieinfrastruktur besonders wichtig ist. Es ist unabdingbar, heute regulatorische und wirtschaftliche Entscheidungen zugunsten eines schnellen Übergangs zu einem vollständig erneuerbaren Energiesystem zu treffen. Die Einführung der Infrastruktur und des Marktdesigns für ein gut vernetztes System erneuerbarer Energien verhindert heute höhere Kosten durch wirtschaftliche, gesundheitliche und ökologische Schäden im Falle des Nichthandelns. Das Dokument im Anhang enthält eine ausführliche Stellungnahme des DNR.
Read full response

Response to Climate Law

29 Apr 2020

Die deutschen Umweltverbände begrüßen den Kommissionsvorschlag des EU-Klimagesetzes, das Treibhausgasneutralität rechtlich verbindlich macht. Gerade in Zeiten der Coronapandemie ist das EU-Klimagesetz als ein zentraler Baustein des Green Deals für die Transformation der EU hin zu einer zukunftsfähigen Wirtschaft wichtiger denn je. Allerdings ist der Vorschlag in vielerlei Hinsicht unzureichend, um einen fairen Beitrag der EU zur Begrenzung der Erderhitzung auf max. 1,5 Grad zu leisten. Hier muss deutlich nachgesteuert werden. Unsere Forderungen dazu finden Sie im angehängten Dokument. TREIBHAUSGASZIELE Das EU-Klimagesetz muss Treibhausgasneutralität bis deutlich vor 2050 und einen mit dem Pariser Klimaabkommen kompatiblen Pfad bis dahin festschreiben. Der Weg hin zur Treibhausgasneutralität muss durch einen Zielpfad basierend auf klimawissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen vorgegeben werden, der bereits im Jahr 2021 beginnt und mit rechtsverbindlichen Zwischenzielen in 2030, 2035 und 2040 ausgestattet ist. Zentraler Bestandteil des EU-Klimagesetzes ist die notwendige, rechtzeitige und verbindliche Anhebung des EU-Klimaziels für die Reduzierung von Treibhausgasemissionen bis 2030 im Rahmen des UN-Prozesses. Als Umweltverbände fordern wir die klimawissenschaftlich notwendige Verantwortungsübernahme für eine Reduktion von mindestens 65 % bis 2030. Dabei erkennen wir an, dass alle ernsthaften Schritte bis dahin für viele Akteure bereits ein herausforderndes Ziel darstellen. Die im Gesetz angekündigte Vorlage des neuen 2030-Ziels im September darf sich nicht verzögern. Spätestens im Herbst muss ein neues EU-Klimaziel entschieden sein, damit die EU frühzeitig vor der nächsten Klimakonferenz mit anderen großen Emittenten in Verhandlung treten kann. NATÜRLICHE SENKEN: Treibhausgasneutralität muss eine Reduktion der Treibhausgasemissionen innerhalb Europas von mindestens 95 Prozent im Vergleich zu 1990 bedeuten. Die im Gesetzesvorschlag vorgenommene Gleichsetzung von natürlichen und technischen Senken ist problematisch. Stattdessen muss ein Fokus auf der Stärkung von natürlichen Senken liegen, da diese für die Bewältigung der Klimakrise von entscheidender Bedeutung sind. Um die Senkenleistung von Flächen zu stärken und einen umwelt- und sozialverträglichen Ausbau von Senken zu ermöglichen, ist ein separates Ziel für die Renaturierung von Mooren und Wäldern im EU-Klimagesetz notwendig. REGELMÄßIGE ÜBERPRÜFUNGSMECHANISMEN Es ist sinnvoll, dass die Kommission einen fünfjährlichen Überprüfungsmechanismus vorschlägt, der an die jeweiligen UNFCCC-Prozesse gekoppelt ist. Die Überprüfung der Zielerreichung muss klimawissenschaftsbasiert stattfinden. Daher ist die Etablierung eines unabhängigen Sachverständigenrats für Klimafragen auf EU-Ebene notwendig, der jährlich die Fortschritte der Union überwacht und die EU-Institutionen fachlich berät. Wird bei den Überprüfungen deutlich, dass die Zwischenziele nicht eingehalten werden, wird die Kommission verpflichtet, im betroffenen Bereich Legislativvorschläge vorzulegen. Außerdem muss im Einklang mit dem Pariser Klimaabkommen eine fünfjährliche Ambitionssteigerung integriert werden. DO NO HARM: Ein EU-Klimagesetz als Rahmengesetz sollte das „Do no harm“-Prinzip neben dem Vorsorgeprinzip und dem „Efficiency First“-Prinzip als Leitprinzip der EU verankern. Ein wichtiger Schritt in diese Richtung ist das vorgeschlagene Klimamainstreaming. Dabei muss neben der Übereinstimmung mit dem Klimaneutralitätsziel auch die Übereinstimmung mit dem Zielpfad (auch vor 2030) und den geforderten Zwischenzielen geprüft werden. Nur so wird die notwendige und frühzeitige Anpassung der sektoralen Rechtsvorschriften für eine ambitionierte CO2-Reduktion sichergestellt. Teil dieses Klimamainstreamings muss eine explizite Verpflichtung sein, keine neue fossile Infrastruktur zu finanzieren oder zu bauen und aus fossilen Subventionen auszusteigen.
Read full response

Meeting with Kurt Vandenberghe (Cabinet of President Ursula von der Leyen)

28 Apr 2020 · Green deal

Response to 2030 Climate Target Plan

15 Apr 2020

Das Zielniveau muss im Einklang mit dem 1,5-Grad-Ziel aus dem Pariser Klimaabkommen sein Die bisher gemachten Zusagen unter dem Pariser Klimaabkommen reichen bei weitem nicht aus, um die Klimakrise aufzuhalten. Im 1,5-Grad-Sonderbericht des IPCC wurden die verheerenden Folgen deutlich, die ein Verfehlen dieses Ziels, zu dem sich alle Vertragsstaaten verpflichtet haben, hätte. Der UNEP Emissions Gap Report von Oktober 2019 verdeutlicht, dass bisherige Zusagen zu einer Erdüberhitzung von deutlich über drei Grad im Vergleich zu den vorindustriellen Durchschnittswerten bis zum Ende des 21. Jahrhunderts führen würden. Um das 1,5-Grad-Ziel mit einer vernünftigen Wahrscheinlichkeit in Reichweite zu halten, sei weltweit eine jährliche Verringerung der Treibhausgasemissionen um 7,6% notwendig. Diese jährliche Rate bedeutet ein 2030-Reduktionsziel von mindestens 65% für die EU. Im Licht der historischen und globalen Verantwortung der EU sowie ihrer Handlungsfähigkeit und Prinzipien der Klimagerechtigkeit ist es darum absolut zentral, dass die Folgenabschätzung für ein neues 2030-Klimaziel auch Pfade berücksichtigt, die zu einer Reduktion von mindestens 65% führen und Klimaneutralität schon deutlich vor 2050 erreichen. Nur so kann das 1,5-Grad-Ziel erreichbar gehalten werden. Die EU hat in der Vergangenheit erfolgreich auf eine Zieltrias aus Klimaziel sowie separaten Zielen zur Verringerung des Energieverbrauchs und zum Ausbau der erneuerbaren Energien gesetzt. Die Energiewende ist essentiell für eine erfolgreiche Transformation der Wirtschaft. Die Ziele für erneuerbare Energien und Energieeffizienz müssen im Rahmen der in den nächsten Jahren anstehenden Revisionen der beiden relevanten Richtlinien deutlich erhöht werden. Die Transformation in allen Sektoren beschleunigen Mit der vollständigen Umsetzung der aktuellen EU-Klima- und Energiegesetzgebung wird laut Zahlen der EU-Kommission lediglich eine Treibhausgasminderung um etwa 45% erreicht werden. Die anstehenden Reformen des relevanten Acquis (inkl. Emissionshandel, Lastenteilungs-Verordnung, LULUCF-Verordnung, CO2-Standards für PKW und Nutzfahrzeuge, Energieeffizienzrichtlinie, Erneuerbare-Energien-Richtlinie, Energiesteuerrichtlinie) sowie alle neuen Politikmaßnahmen müssen das deutlich ambitioniertere 2030-Klimaziel unterfüttern und ein Erreichen verlässlich sicherstellen. Darüber hinaus muss die Kommission klare sektorale Strategien zur Dekarbonisierung entwickeln, die auch Aktionspläne zur Umsetzung und Finanzierung enthalten. Dies ist insbesondere für die Sektoren Industrie, Mobilität, Gebäude, Landwirtschaft und Forstwirtschaft zentral. Nutzen von Klimaschutz mit Kosten des Nichthandelns vergleichen Unzureichendes Handeln in Bezug auf die Klimakrise wird weitreichende und unwiderrufliche Schäden zur Folge haben – sowohl direkt durch häufigere und stärkere Extremwetterereignisse als auch indirekt durch die Verschärfung bestehender Konflikte und gesellschaftliche Probleme wie Konflikte über Wasser und Rohstoffe, unzureichende Gesundheitsversorgung und verschärfte ökonomische Ungleichheit, sowohl global als auch regional. Jede Folgenabschätzung von verstärkter Klimaschutzpolitik muss daher ein vollständiges Bild ihres direkten Nutzens (z.B. Beschäftigung, reduzieren von Energiekosten und Importabhängigkeit, Wettbewerbsfähigkeit) und vermiedenen Kosten (z.B. Umweltschäden, Gesundheitskosten, fossile Subventionen) zeichnen. Beim notwendigen Ausbau von Infrastruktur muss das „Efficiency First“ Prinzip gelten und eine Zementierung von Infrastruktur, die nicht auf Klimaneutralität ausgelegt ist, verhindert werden. Darum fordern wir als Teil der Folgenabschätzung einen eigenen Zielpfad zu einem Energiesystem auf Basis von Energieeffizienz und 100% erneuerbaren Energien.
Read full response

Response to Climate Law

6 Feb 2020

Der deutsche Naturschutzring begrüßt den Vorstoß der EU-Kommission für ein EU-Klimagesetz, das die EU-Klimaziele rechtlich verbindlich macht und somit das Bekenntnis der EU und ihrer Mitgliedstaaten zu den Pariser Klimazielen und einem fairen Beitrag der EU zur Begrenzung der Klimaerhitzung unterstreicht. Mit dem EU-Klimagesetz kann die EU zeigen, dass sie die Herausforderungen des 21. Jahrhundert verlässlich, ernsthaft und ambitioniert angeht. Mit dem Ziel, der erste klimaneutrale Kontinent zu werden, kann die EU ein starkes internationales Symbol setzen für die Vertragsstaaten des Pariser Klimaabkommens, für Investor*innen und für die Bürger*innen, die seit Monaten für mehr Klimaschutz auf die Straße und an die Wahlurnen gehen. Das EU-Klimagesetz muss Treibhausgasneutralität bis deutlich vor 2050 festschreiben. Der Weg dahin muss durch einen klaren Pfad mit rechtsverbindlichen Zwischenzielen in 2030 und 2040, die sich an wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen zur Minderung der Temperaturerhöhung von 1.5 Grad Celsius orientieren, aufgezeigt werden. Den Dekarbonisierungspfad sollen ein Gesamt- sowie Jahresbudgets für die verbleibenden Treibhausgasemissionen für den Zeitraum bis 2050 unterlegen. Die Ziele und Treibhausgas-Budgets müssen einem fairen Beitrag der EU zum 1,5°-Ziel entsprechen, zu dem sich die EU im Gesetz verpflichtet. Dabei ist auch ein separates Ziel für die Wiederherstellung der Senkenleistung von Mooren und Wäldern sinnvoll, um einen umwelt- und sozialverträglichen Ausbau von Senken sicherzustellen. Eine Verknüpfung mit den Berichterstattungspflichten der Mitgliedsstaaten in der Governance-Verordnung und dem Europäischen Semester sollte als Frühwarnsystem genutzt werden, um die Einhaltung der Ziele und Budgets sicherzustellen. Die Etablierung eines unabhängigen Sachverständigenrats für Klimapolitik auf EU-Ebene, der jährlich die Fortschritte der Union überwacht und die EU-Institutionen fachlich berät, ist ein weiterer Baustein, der sicherstellen soll, dass die EU ihr Ziel erreicht. Wird dabei deutlich, dass das Budget bzw. die Zwischenziele nicht eingehalten werden, wird die Kommission verpflichtet, im betroffenen Bereich (ESR, ETS, RED, EED etc.) Legislativvorschläge vorzulegen. Dafür braucht es einen robusten fünfjährlichen Überprüfungs- und Ambitionssteigerungsmechanismus, der auch eine Koppelung an die UNFCCC-Prozesse sicherstellt. Der „Do no harm“-Ansatz der EU-Kommission könnte im Klimagesetz bereits als Leitprinzip der EU neben dem Vorsorgeprinzip und dem „Efficiency First“-Prinzip verankert werden. Das „Do no Harm“-Prinzip sollte mit einer Verpflichtung, alle Maßnahmen, Gesetze, Initiativen und finanziellen Instrumente auf die Ziele des EU-Klimagesetzes hin zu überprüfen, einhergehen. Teil davon muss ein schnelles Ende der Subventionierung von fossilen Energieträgern sein, auch indirekt wie beispielsweise über die Vorhaben von gemeinsamen Interesse (PCI).
Read full response

Meeting with Virginijus Sinkevičius (Commissioner) and

8 Jan 2020 · European Green Deal and the planed implementation of circular economy and biodiversity initiatives of the European Commission

Meeting with Riccardo Maggi (Cabinet of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans)

6 Nov 2019 · Discussion on climate action prospects in Europe and Germany

Response to Towards an EU Product Policy Framework contributing to the Circular Economy

29 May 2018

- ‘Products & services’ are the entry point for material loops: 80% of environmental impacts are determined at design stage and if injecting single use & toxic materials through products we spoil the whole potential for circularity. It is no brainer that products and services need to be better designed for circularity. It’s impossible to make a good recipe with rotten ingredients. - Together with their potential for resources conservation and waste prevention, products placed on the market also have an impact on jobs and the development of our economy. If they are designed to be discarded quickly and replaced by products manufactured in low labour cost countries, this may not benefit the EU economy. In contrary if they are designed for making the best of each input of material they are made of – and most often imported in EU – they trigger opportunities to retain and share their ‘embedded’ value. For example, extending the life time of products through use of durable materials and features (e.g compatibility of software), upgrade or repair certainly create more jobs than recycling, which creates more jobs than disposal (even with energy recovery). The idea is to design products so that the economic and resources savings opportunities are multiplied, thus not going too early to recycling or disposal. - Circular and resources saving products is also a way to increase the control of consumers on what they buy. It should not be dictated how the products we buy and use should be handled. More freedom should be offered to consumers rather than forcing them to buy and bin after use or replace quicker than they wish. - Circularity of products is also a key contribution to a low Carbon economy, as embedded energy and CO2 emissions in products is a significant and still largely untapped potential. Product policy saving on resources use should be developed in parallel to continuous efforts to save on energy and CO2 in order to achieve our climate goals. - Policy action is needed. The main points are: • An integrated policy approach towards performance in a Circular Economy • Joint preparatory studies and verification systems for different policy instruments • Ecodesign approaches for non-energy related products and services • An EU harmonised and digital Product Information System • Linking supply and demand levers more effectively
Read full response

Meeting with Thibaut Kleiner (Cabinet of Vice-President Günther Oettinger)

7 Mar 2018 · MFF

Meeting with Yvon Slingenberg (Cabinet of Vice-President Miguel Arias Cañete)

5 Sept 2016 · Energy Efficiency Package

Meeting with Telmo Baltazar (Cabinet of President Jean-Claude Juncker)

16 Apr 2015 · Climate Action and Energy Union

Meeting with Dermot Ryan (Cabinet of Commissioner Phil Hogan)

15 Apr 2015 · Regulation on organic agriculture, Greening of the CAP – implementation in the member states and midterm review, Better regulation and administrative simplification