Social Democratic Party ministers in Germany's federal cabinet have proposed amending the constitution to make climate adaptation and nature conservation a joint federal-state responsibility, presenting a package of about a dozen measures ahead of a late-August cabinet retreat. The plan includes immediate protections for nursing homes and hospitals, building-code adjustments, and natural climate-protection measures.
The push follows estimates by the Robert Koch Institute that roughly 12,500 people died from heat-related causes by early August 2026. Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said political action against climate change was imperative. The Christian Democratic Union rejected the constitutional amendment as pointless, while the Greens accused the SPD of hypocrisy, noting Chancellor Olaf Scholz had blocked a similar amendment in the 2021 coalition agreement.
The German Association of Cities and Municipalities estimated that municipalities need €40 billion over five years to cope with climate impacts, urging the government to enshrine adaptation funding in the constitution.