Jens Kerstan Resigns After Decade of Environmental Leadership in Hamburg

The outgoing senator criticizes failed Elbe deepening, calls for cooperative harbor policies, and reflects on his transformative green legacy.

Jens Kerstan steps down as Hamburg’s environmental senator after ten years, citing health recovery and a desire for personal time.
Kerstan leaves behind a legacy of significant environmental reforms, including the shutdown of the Moorburg coal power plant and early diesel bans.
He denounces the Elbe deepening project as a costly failure, highlighting issues like recurring dredging and damage from larger containerships.
Calling for a shift in Hamburg’s harbor strategy, Kerstan advocates for long-term cooperation between German ports to reduce competition and improve resource allocation.
Kerstan acknowledges political compromises with the SPD, particularly in 2015, but emphasizes the need for bold, forward-looking policies in the face of economic and environmental challenges.