BMUKN-Newsletter International

Dear readers,

40 years ago – on 6 June 1986 – the Federal Environment Ministry began its work. The ministry was set up in direct response to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. The creation of a dedicated ministry consolidated and strengthened the wide-ranging tasks of environmental protection, nature conservation, nuclear safety and radiological protection.

The Federal Environment Ministry has evolved since that time. Today, alongside protecting and preserving the environment, the ministry also works to keep the German economy strong with innovative environmental technologies.

Other topics in this Newsletter include the lessons learnt from the Chernobyl disaster, an update on international climate policy and a look at the grant scheme for electric vehicles.

We hope you enjoy the Newsletter!

The Federal Environment Ministry Public Relations Team

Topics

Headline

© BMUKN/Annette Riedl

Close to Nature for 40 Years – Federal Environment Ministry celebrates its anniversary

The Federal Environment Ministry recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. Former Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel delivered the keynote speech at the ceremony. Representatives of civil society spoke at the occasion alongside former environment ministers. A video of the anniversary ceremony captures special moments, impressions and statements from key participants in the event.

Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider commented: "Environmental policy has made our country stronger, cleaner and safer. This is thanks not least to the many dedicated people who work to protect our environment."

read more

© BMUKN/ Peter-Paul Weiler

Learning from Chernobyl: Focusing on renewables

On the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider warned of the continuing uncontrollable risks of nuclear power. He called for the energy transition to be pursued rigorously. "Ultimately, nuclear power remains an unmanageable, high-risk technology, while the problem of nuclear waste is still largely unresolved worldwide. New nuclear power stations are not competitive and cannot be built without state aid. Learning from Chernobyl means focusing on renewable energy."

read more

© BMUKN/Peter-Paul Weiler

Electric car grant scheme launched – apply now for up to 6,000 euros

The application portal for the new electric car grant scheme is now online. Private individuals can now apply for support of between 1,500 and 6,000 euros, depending on income, family size and vehicle type.

Federal Environment Minister Schneider: "With this grant scheme, we are doing our bit for the environment, for the car industry and for households that would otherwise be unable to afford an electric car. Word is spreading that it’s fun to drive an electric vehicle."

A total of three billion euros has been made available, enough to support an estimated 800,000 vehicles by 2029. 

read more

© BMUKN/ Annette Riedl

17th Petersberg Climate Dialogue: International consultations on climate policy

At the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin, representatives from more than 30 countries considered ways to resolve the current energy crisis and discussed international climate policy. The focus was on expanding renewable energy and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider called for more electrification and international cooperation on combatting climate change.

read more

© Ernst Pieber/fotolia.com

COP31 preparations: Electrification and climate targets take centre stage

UN climate negotiations (SB64) in Bonn concluded with key developments for November's COP31 in Antalya. Türkiye proposed nearly doubling the global share of electricity in energy consumption to 35 percent by 2035, part of a 10-point Action Agenda covering electrification, circular economy and industrial transformation. Germany emphasised linking international climate goals with national targets and highlighted that climate action is now central to economic competitiveness. While progress was made, there are still obstacles to achieving emissions reductions. The message: the Paris Agreement stands strong, but implementation must be accelerated.

read more

© BMUKN/Christoph Soeder

Heat Action Day: New WHO guidance for better protection against heat

On the nationwide Heat Action Day in Berlin, the World Health Organization (WHO/Europe) presented its Heat-Health Action Plans Guidance to protect public health. Based on eight key elements, the guidance provides government authorities with science-based recommendations to protect people from the health effects of extreme heat. 

read more

© BMUKN/Christoph Wehrer

Germany and INTERPOL expand partnership against environmental crime

The Federal Environment Ministry and INTERPOL are intensifying their fight against cross-border environmental crime with an additional 1.5 million euros for Project Gaia. This initiative has already launched over 500 investigations and identified 262 criminal entities. Environmental crimes such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and waste dumping generate billions in illicit profits and cause over 1 trillion dollars in annual ecosystem damage. Announced at the Hamburg Sustainability Conference 2026, the expanded partnership strengthens law enforcement in affected countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa.

read more

© BMUKN/Christophe Gateau

Innovative carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere

Around 180 experts discussed the potential and framework conditions for new carbon removal technologies at a specialist conference organised by the BMUKN. These technologies are intended to offset unavoidable residual emissions in future and open up economic opportunities for German companies. The ministry is currently working on a long-term strategy, as well as funding and market incentive programmes.

read more

© powell83/fotolia.com

Germany takes stand against deep-sea mining at Hamburg Sustainability Conference
Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider joined tech CEOs at HSC 2026 to push for protection of the deep sea. Germany and 42 other countries are calling for a precautionary pause on commercial deep-sea mining until environmental safeguards are established, promoting circular economy and metal recycling as alternatives. The conference also addressed environmental crime, with 1.5 million euros for INTERPOL's Project Gaia and green finance, with 35 million euros to mobilise up to 250 million euros in private climate funding for developing countries.

read more