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Berlin Passes Climate Adaptation Law to Grow Tree Stock to Over 1 Million by 2040

Lawmakers adopted a citizen-drafted plan that sets binding adaptation targets with a €3.2 billion price tag.

Overview

  • Berlin’s parliament approved the Klimaanpassungsgesetz in a special session, ending plans for a petition or referendum on the proposal.
  • The law is closely based on the BaumEntscheid initiative after negotiations with the CDU and SPD factions.
  • It pairs large-scale tree planting with cooling green spaces, expanded rainwater management, and binding heat-action plans for both the state and districts.
  • Implementation is estimated at about €3.2 billion, with costs reduced by using younger “development trees” and streamlined procedures.
  • An independent scientific council will monitor results and publish reviews, while financing mechanisms and district-level execution still need to be defined.