Brandenburg's environmental policy in crisis: less protection, more conflicts!

Brandenburg's environmental policy in crisis: less protection, more conflicts!

There is a lot of turmoil in Brandenburg when it comes to environmental and nature conservation. Environmental and nature conservation associations are concerned about current developments under the state government, which is made up of the SPD and BSW. In particular, a decline in sustainability policy is noted, as shown on rbb24 reported. The critical voices include personalities like Ortwin Renn, who calls for a new consideration of more sustainability.

Franziska Sperfeld, state chairwoman of BUND, notes that it is becoming increasingly difficult to place environmental issues in parliament. This has serious consequences, because the absence of the Alliance Greens and the Left in the state parliament makes it extremely difficult to spread environmental concerns. Björn Ellner, regional chairman of NABU, even speaks of “authority ping-pong” and the difficulties of anchoring important topics in political discourse.

Layout of the ministries and effects

The organizational integration of the Ministry of Climate Protection into the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor and Energy also has negative consequences. Many environmental projects, such as a moor protection project in Märkisch-Oderland and Barnim, are on the brink or have even been stopped. Anja Hänel from VCD also warns about future mobility in Brandenburg after the newly appointed transport minister from BSW announced that he would reduce train connections on certain regional rail routes. While the SPD rejects the accusations of a regressive environmental policy and emphasizes that it wants to work alongside the citizens, the criticism from the associations sounds unmistakable.

In addition, the upcoming annual reception of the nature conservation associations in Potsdam is causing a stir. The focus is on the changes in the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Consumer Protection. Hanka Mittelstädt and Gregor Beyer have introduced a new line in the ministry that is particularly controversial in rural areas. Björn Ellner also draws attention to the critical situation in wildlife management, as new hunting regulations put responsibility for wolves and beavers on the agenda.

An advisory board for sustainability?

Another exciting topic is the Advisory Council for Sustainable Development, which was launched by Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke in February 2021 to support the state government in implementing a sustainable strategy. This advisory board could play an important role in the current situation in order to promote dialogue between different actors and to vigorously advance the sustainability goals, which is proving to be urgently needed, especially in the 7th legislative period, as shown on sustainabilitybeirat.brandenburg.de can be read.

In times when the moor protection department has already been disbanded, everyone involved is encouraged to rely on constructive cooperation. While Gregor Beyer rejects the allegations and emphasizes the need to concentrate responsibilities, it is clearly noticeable from NABU representatives that trust in the ministry's new line is dwindling.

The coming months could be decisive in determining how political and social debates develop. The support of environmental associations is in jeopardy, and the cause of a sustainable Brandenburg could fall by the wayside if no agreement is reached. It remains to be seen whether the dialogue between the actors can be continued and whether words are followed by actions.