Environmental groups urge against climate funding cuts amid budget talks

By Faridat Salifu

Leading environmental organizations have warned against proposed cuts to climate funding amid intense negotiations over the 2025 budget.

The coalition of advocacy groups called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck to safeguard essential investments in greenhouse gas neutrality and international climate initiatives.

The appeal, backed by prominent entities such as the German League for Nature and Environment (DNR), the German Association for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Environmental Action Germany (DUH), Germanwatch, Greenpeace Germany, and the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), last weekend, emphasized the long-term economic benefits of addressing climate change now.

The groups argue that immediate investments will ultimately be far more cost-effective than dealing with the future repercussions of inaction.

The appeal comes as Scholz’s three-party coalition faces challenging negotiations over the 2025 draft government budget. Proposed deep cuts across various ministries aim to address significant budget shortfalls.

Finance Minister Christian Lindner, from the pro-business liberal Free Democrats (FDP), has firmly advocated for strict adherence to rules against government borrowing and deficit spending.

“The current negotiations for the 2025 federal budget will not only decide whether social cohesion can be maintained but also whether Germany can meet its internationally binding climate targets,” the letter stated.

The signatories criticized the stringent budget constraints, warning that failing to invest in the transition to a climate-neutral economy now could jeopardize Germany’s economic stability.

This appeal highlights a critical crossroads for Germany as it balances fiscal responsibility with the urgent need to address climate change.

Environmental groups insist that cutting climate funding would be a short-sighted move, undermining both environmental goals and long-term economic health.

The outcome of these budget negotiations will significantly impact Germany’s ability to fulfill its climate commitments and maintain its leadership in global environmental efforts.