Climate Action

Eisschollen auf einem Gletschersee in Island

Protecting nature and climate action are once again united in the Federal Environment Ministry. The new area of responsibility is in the name of the ministry: the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety or BMUKN for short. The Federal Climate Action Minister is Carsten Schneider.

Latest on Climate action

Carsten Schenider und sein armenischer Kollege Hambardzum Matevosyan
Press Nature and Biological Diversity | 31.10.26

17th UN Biodiversity Conference wraps up: an honest assessment

A range of decisions was taken on many important issues at the 17th UN Biodiversity Conference in Yerevan. The outcomes include a response to the first global review of the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Strand in Fidschi
Press International | 05.10.26

UN Climate Change Conference: Pre-COP31 taking place in Fiji

The conference in Fiji will lay the political groundwork for the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya in November. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth will take part on behalf of Germany.

Partnerschaft im Rahmen des Weimarer Dreiecks
Report Europe | 29.09.26

Common Press Statement of the Green Weimar Triangle meeting

The Environment Ministers of Poland, Germany and France met under the Green Weimar Triangle to strengthen cooperation on climate action, nature restoration and biodiversity ahead of key EU and global milestones.

Sonnenkollektoren und Windkraftanlagen im Hintergund in Deutschland
Press Climate | 23.09.26

Germany unveils roadmap for transitioning away from fossil fuels

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider presented Germany's roadmap for a gradual phase-out of fossil fuels at the United Nations in New York. This “roadmap” had previously been presented to the Federal Cabinet.

Gruppenfoto mit Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider
Press International | 02.09.26

Germany and India strengthen cooperation on environmental protection

Germany and India aim to promote more climate-resilient and sustainable development in the protection of wetlands. The two countries have also agreed to engage in closer technical cooperation on climate adaptation.

Moorlandschaft
Press Climate | 02.09.26

UNEP report on the 1.5-degree target

The new UNEP report warns that the 1.5-degree limit is set to be exceeded and calls for decisive action.

India Gate
Press International | 30.08.26

Germany strengthens partnership with India on environmental protection

The main object of the visit is the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum under the theme "Together For More Resilience". Minister Schneider will open the Forum with his Indian counterpart in New Delhi.

Illustration einer Weltkugel mit Fokus auf Europa
Press Climate | 18.07.26

Proposal to reform European Emissions Trading System

Emissions trading, as the European Union’s key climate protection instrument, is to be further strengthened and aligned with the European climate target for 2040 and climate neutrality in Europe by 2050 at the latest.

Key Areas

Der Turkcell Tower und Ausstellungsraum, davor wehen internationale Flaggen im Wind.

31th UN Climate Conference (COP31)

From 9 to 20 November 2026 the 31th UN Climate Conference takes place in Antalya, Turkey.

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Petersberg Climate Dialogue 2026

The 17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue will take place in Berlin on 21 and 22 April 2026.

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The structure and name of the ministry was changed by the organisational decree of the Federal Chancellor of 6 May 2025. National and international climate policy were moved to the Federal Environment Ministry from the Federal Economic Affairs Ministry and the Federal Foreign Office.

The Federal Environment Ministry had held lead responsibility for climate policy before, until December 2021. This included climate action at national and international level, climate partnerships and climate initiatives as well as international climate negotiations and emissions trading.

The German government’s information, documents and publications on these topics will be compiled on this website shortly. Until then, this information is still available at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Foreign Office:

Policy-making in dialogue

Good environmental policy is achieved when it is a joint endeavour. Connect with us on social media, take part in our forums or write to us directly.