Deutsche Umwelthilfe criticizes "Infrastructure Future Act"

Berlin – The German environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has sharply criticized the upcoming "Infrastructure Future Act," scheduled for its second and third readings in the Bundestag tomorrow, Friday. The law aims to accelerate the construction of grey infrastructure, such as roads and railways. According to the organization, the act introduces significant weakening of environmental and nature protection and curtails participation rights.

DUH accuses the law of effectively abolishing "real compensation" (Realkompensation), a key instrument for nature conservation. Previously, nature destroyed by infrastructure projects had to be primarily restored as compensation in the immediate vicinity. However, the new law would allow developers to buy themselves out by paying a compensatory sum, the use of which is not fully defined. The organization argues this jeopardizes biodiversity and climate goals.

"This is a general attack on nature and climate protection without regard for the consequences," stated DUH Federal Managing Director Sascha Müller-Kraenner in a press release. He urged Bundestag members to reject the bill or postpone it until the government presents a credible law to strengthen natural infrastructure.

DUH's other Federal Managing Director, Jürgen Resch, emphasized that the law prioritizes the construction of new motorways, despite thousands of bridges crumbling. "Instead of ending the construction of new motorways and investing money in the renovation of important bridges, new motorways are to be built more easily through moors and forests without regard for the consequences," Resch said. He reminded the government of its constitutional obligation to protect natural living conditions for future generations.