The fight for Clean Air in Germany Why we need to strengthen the - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

The fight for Clean Air in Germany Why we need to strengthen the civil society 15.5.2019 | Green Week| Barbara Metz, Deutsche Umwelthilfe

Dieselgate and its consequences What we were promised … What really happened … Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 2

Diesel engines are the main source of nitrogen dioxide in our cities Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 3

Health problems related to nitogen dioxide  13,100 premature deaths in Germany every year (European Environment Agency, October 2018)  800,000 respiratory, cardiovascular and diabetes cases due to nitrogen oxides every year (Federal Environment Agency, March 2018) Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 4

The special role of the German car industry  Germany's world-leading automotive industry, that generates 404 billion euros in annual revenues - roughly 20 percent of Germany's total industrial revenue - and provides nearly 800,000 jobs in Germany alone , has a considerable influence in German politics  Unlike in the US, manufacturers in Germany have still not been held responsible for their actions or asked to pay fines  On the contrary: They continue to make record profits in Germany and the Federal Government not only accepts all the excuses made, but also lobbies for their interests and needs Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 5

Our fight for Clean Air  Due to persistent air pollution, and German authorities not taking action, despite being aware of the problem, DUH started supporting lawsuits by affected citizens  The landmark decision of the European Court of Justice from 2008 confirmed the enforceable “Right to clean air” for all EU citizens  Finally in Federal Administrative Court assigned this right of action to organisations  On 27-2-2018, the Federal Administrative Court confirmed that Diesel bans are a suitable measure to comply with the limit values ​ as quickly as possible Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 6

Today we have 35 lawsuits for clean air in Germany. Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 7

What we have achieved so far Although federal and state politicians refuse to implement the legally binding verdicts, we have significantly contributed to a shift in mobility in Germany:  Our court cases have put massive pressure on politicians and enhanced a strong public debate  All the cities we are suing now have a Clean Air Plan, enhancing a shift in mobility and transportation  At the time being, Diesel bans are in force in Stuttgart and Hamburg, more will follow later this year  The German Government has provided more than 1 billion euros to support the cities during transition Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 8

How citizens support our work Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 9

Role of the civil society for our democracy NGOs such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe reveal abuse of power and ensure that laws are also adhered to by industry and the State  We ensure transparency and detect violations of law  In case of doubt we check the facts and make our own measurements  We carry out ecological market surveillance  We fight for the rights of consumers and the environment Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 10

Reactions of German industry and government to our work  The attacks against us and our work have been increasing with the exposure and the success of our work  BASF, Daimler and VW have openly attempted to impede our work and by issuing damage claims in the millions  Politicians are increasingly pressured to change laws restricting the rights of civil society groups in the interests of big corporations  Just in December 2018, Angela Merkels governing party CDU demanded the withdrawal of our non-profit status as well as our right of action before administrative courts  In a functioning democracy, tax offices decide on non- profit status and courts on the rights of action. However, it is an alarming political signal to even make the demand! Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 11

We need a strong civil society … … Because the balance of power between corporate lobbyists and critical civil society has been shifting to the detriment of civil society … Because civil society organizations are an important part of our democracy, especially when they are critical and inconvenient. NGOs are a necessary counterbalance to the increasingly strong corporations Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 12

Thank you very much for your attention! Contact: metz@duh.de Folgen Sie uns Bleiben Sie auf dem Laufenden www.twitter.com/umwelthilfe www.duh.de www.facebook.de/umwelthilfe www.duh.de/newsletter-abo Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 13