‘Historic’ German ruling says climate goals not tough enough

Judges order government to strengthen legislation before end of next year to protect future generations

Germany's supreme constitutional court has ruled that the government's climate protection measures are insufficient to protect future generations, after a complaint brought by environmentalist groups.

In a groundbreaking ruling, the judges of the Karlsruhe court, Germany's highest, said the government now had until the end of next year to improve its Climate Protection Act, passed in 2019, and to ensure it met 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goals more immediately.