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A clean, healthy and diverse environment is the prerequisite for prosperity and well-being for everyone in Europe. Therefore, approximately 80 per cent of the environmental policies applicable in Germany are made by the EU Commission, the EU Parliament and the Council. Effective environmental protection also requires reasonable coordination of environmental with economic, transport and agricultural policies.
Flaggen europäischer Länder und Regionen vor einem Glasgebäude

Latest on Europe

Blick auf den Bogen des zerstörten Reaktors in der Sperrzone von Tschernobyl
Press Nuclear Safety | 15.09.26

70th IAEA General Conference

Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter is representing Germany at the plenary session of the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna and announces additional funding for IAEA missions to Ukraine.

Karpaten
Press Nature and Biological Diversity | 20.08.26

Ukraine's Natural World Heritage sites receive tangible support

To protect and preserve Europe’s primeval forests and ensure the long-term protection of nature reserves in Ukraine, Germany is providing ten million euros to set up a nature conservation fund.

Die deutsche Delegation mit dem Umwelt- und Wirtschaftsminister der Ukraine Oleksandr Kravchenko.
Press International | 18.08.26

Federal Environment Minister Schneider travels to Ukraine

Carsten Schneider is visiting Ukraine for talks on climate-friendly reconstruction, energy security, EU accession and nuclear power stations, accompanied by German green-tech companies.

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.

Flaggen wehen im Wind
Report Nuclear Safety | 02.07.26

52nd meeting of the French-German commission

At the 52nd DFK meeting in Garching near Munich, the representatives discussed, among other things, challenges related to nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, and nuclear waste disposal.

Ein Haufen mit Textilien und einem T-Shirt mit der Aufschrift "I have nothing to wear"
Press Sustainability | 25.06.26

Germany calls for stricter regulation of ultra-fast fashion

Germany, France and the Netherlands are advocating coordinated European action against ultra-fast fashion. The three Member States raised the topic at the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg.

Bundesumweltminister Carsten Schneider, die französische Umweltministerin Monique Barbut sowie die polnische Klimaministerin Paulina Hennig-Kloska auf dem Podium
Report Europe | 09.03.26

Green Weimar Triangle relaunched

Auf Initiative von Bundesumweltminister Schneider wurde das Weimarer-Umweltdreieck wieder belebt. Dazu traf er im polnischen Gniezno die französische Umweltministerin Barbut sowie die polnische Klimaministerin Hennig-Kloska.

Ein Kohlekraftwerk mit dampfendem Kühlturm im Sonnenuntergang
Press Climate | 19.11.25

Groundwork to cancel more emission allowances

The German government is notifying the European Commission of its intent to close further power plants with a view to cancelling emission allowances in future. This was decided by the Federal Cabinet on 19 November 2025.

Press Europe | 05.11.25

"Europe is a committed partner in the fight against climate change"

The EU environment ministers have agreed on a common position for a new intermediate reduction target on the path to climate neutrality. The goal is to lower emissions by 90 percent compared to 1990 levels by the year 2040.

Blaue Fahnen mit gelben Sternen weht im Wind
Press Europe | 03.11.25

Environment Council meeting

At the meeting of the EU Environment Council on November 4, 2025, the European climate target for 2040 and the adoption of the new EU contribution for 2035 under the Paris Climate Agreement are to be determined.

Tropischer Regenwald
Press Nature and Biological Diversity | 14.09.25

International Day for the Conservation of Tropical Forests 2025

Tropical forests are home to more than two-thirds of all known animal and plant species worldwide, produce a significant proportion of the world's oxygen, and store large amounts of carbon.

rauchende Schornsteine
Press Climate | 25.06.25

Germany cancels over 500,000 emission allowances

Germany is, for the first time, cancelling emission allowances from the European emissions trading system in order to secure the positive climate impact of the regulated phase-out of coal power.

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