German Municipalities Demand Constitutional Change for Heat Protection Funding

German municipalities are urging a constitutional amendment to secure better funding for climate adaptation and heat protection measures. The German Association of Cities and Municipalities (Deutscher Städte- und Gemeindebund) argues that adapting to extreme weather events like heatwaves and heavy rainfall is becoming increasingly critical.

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The adaptation to extreme weather events, such as heat, heavy rain, or storms, is becoming increasingly important.

"The adaptation to extreme weather events, such as heat, heavy rain, or storms, is becoming increasingly important," said André Berghegger, the association's chief executive. He emphasized that recent record temperatures underscored this urgency. Berghegger stated that because climate protection and adaptation are societal responsibilities, financing by both federal and state governments is essential.

The association proposes creating a new joint task under Article 91a of the German Basic Law, titled "Climate Protection and Climate Adaptation." This would allow federal and state governments to share the costs of vital measures to protect the population and reconfigure urban centers for climate resilience. Municipalities have already initiated many such measures, but Berghegger noted that adapting to climate change is costly and often beyond the financial capacity of many local governments, especially given their current fiscal constraints.

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Because climate protection and adaptation are societal responsibilities, financing by both federal and state governments is essential.

The federal government acknowledges the significant challenge of adapting to heatwaves but insists that states and municipalities must take the lead. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider (SPD) pointed out that 100 billion euros have already been allocated to municipalities for investments. He suggested that states could also use these funds for measures like protecting hospitals and nursing homes, as they received substantial financial support for such purposes.

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In times of extreme financial hardship for municipalities, it is often not possible to finance everything that would be necessary to protect the population.

A spokesperson for the Federal Ministry for the Environment added that states are, in fact, legally obligated under the 2024 Climate Adaptation Act to ensure comprehensive climate adaptation concepts are in place nationwide. While the federal government continues to fund specific programs, the primary responsibility for implementation and funding at the local level is emphasized.

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The states could also do that. They received 100 billion euros within the framework of the special program, and it is entirely up to them to invest the funds in it.