Deutsche Umwelthilfe threatens legal action over building modernization law

The environmental organization Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) has announced its intention to file a lawsuit with Germany's Federal Constitutional Court if the draft law on building modernization, currently under parliamentary review, is approved in its current form. DUH asserts that the proposed legislation jeopardizes the achievement of constitutionally mandated climate goals.

The organization specifically criticizes the bill for allegedly allowing fossil fuel-based heating systems to continue operating for decades. DUH argues this stance undermines Germany's climate protection objectives, slows the transition to renewable energy, and perpetuates dependence on fossil fuels. "The current version of the bill effectively gives fossil heating systems a free pass for decades to come, making it unconstitutional," stated DUH's federal managing director, Barbara Metz.

DUH has pledged to challenge the law legally should it be enacted. "If the building modernization law is passed in its current form, we will stop it with a climate lawsuit," Metz added, urging committee members to prevent this outcome. Experts have also voiced concerns.

Lawyer Remo Klinger, who testified before a parliamentary committee on the matter, noted that the bill's 60 percent limit on bioparallel and the delay of bans on gas and oil heating until 2044 contradict the constitutional requirement for "soon-to-be-achieved climate neutrality." Klinger warned that the law is likely to be rejected by the Federal Constitutional Court in its present state.