Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) e.V.

We welcome the EU’s initiatives and legislation on the circular economy so far. However, key indicators for the circular economy, such as the circularity rate and per capita consumption of primary raw materials, show that the EU still has a long way to go to largely closed loops and effective resource protection.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Der Deutsche Naturschutzring begrüßt, dass die Europäische Kommission mit dem Industrial Accelerator Act einen zentralen Baustein für die Zukunft der europäischen Industrie vorlegt. Richtig ausgestaltet bietet das Gesetz echte Chancen: Die Schaffung grüner Leitmärkte setzt wichtige Nachfragesignale, kann Investitionen in klimaneutrale Produktion auslösen und hilft, gute Arbeitsplätze zu sichern.

To ensure we reach net zero emissions well before 2050, EU Member States need to phase out fossil fuels and commit to a strong reduction in energy consumption and a transition of our energy system to one that is 100% based on sustainable renewable energy sources (RES) by 2040. The current 2030 EU RES target is not in line with the Paris Agreement objective to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The German environmental associations welcome the Commission’s proposal for the EU Climate Change Act, which makes greenhouse gas neutrality legally binding. Especially at a time of coronapandemic, the EU climate law is more important than ever as a key building block of the Green Deal for the transformation of the EU towards a sustainable economy.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The German Nature Conservation Ring welcomes the European Commission’s push for an EU climate law which makes EU climate targets legally binding, thus underlining the EU’s and its Member States’ commitment to the Paris climate goals and a fair EU contribution to limiting climate heating. With the EU climate law, the EU can demonstrate a reliable, serious and ambitious response to the challenges of the 21st century.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Overall, Deutscher Naturschutzring (DNR) believes that the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), like the rest of the elements of the Clean Energy for All package, is not consistent with the ambition of the Paris Agreement. Therefore, DNR fully supports the initiative to evaluate and revise the EED with the aim to increase its ambition.

The EU needs to cut emissions by at least 65% in 2030 to honor the Paris Agreement objective of keeping global temperature rise to 1.5°C. In order to deliver the necessary emission reductions in a socially fair and cost-effective manner, a holistic and comprehensive approach towards the entire policy architecture is needed.

With the current energy crisis, price shocks and the urgency of the climate crisis, the EU needs to translate its words into action, setting a clear pathway for fossil energy and accelerating the transition to a fully renewables-based, efficient energy system.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Deutscher Naturschutzring, umbrella organization for environmental groups in Germany, welcomes the Commissions proposal for an urgently needed emissions reduction target for 2040. At the same time, we critically note that the proposed level of ambition falls short of scientific recommendations and the EUs fair share of global climate action.

The Deutsche Naturschutzring e.V. (DNR) strongly rejects the proposed draft delegated act amending Annex III to the Nitrates Directive and recommends that the European Commission withdraw this proposal. Raising the limit by 100 kg per hectare per year to 270 Kg N/ha for the use of ‘renure fertiliser’ is not viable. RENURE is not a defined term and can also mean the use of conventional organic fertiliser.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We reject the use of international emission allowances to meet the EU’s target of 90 % emission reductions by 2040. This approach contradicts the scientific advice of the ESABCC, which calls for a reduction of at least 90-95 % without any flexibilities.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Without a stronger commitment to reducing energy consumption and increasing energy efficiency, a much larger amount of renewable energy is needed, which would lead to greater resource and land demand and a delay in decarbonisation, as the speed of deployment cannot be increased at will.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The EU needs binding national and sectoral emission reduction targets for 2040. National targets are a key pillar of EU climate policy: They create legally binding requirements for Member States and ensure their responsibility under the Paris Agreement.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

- ‘Products & services’ are the entry point for material loops: 80% of environmental impacts are determined at design stage and if injecting single use & toxic materials through products we spoil the whole potential for circularity. It is no brainer that products and services need to be better designed for circularity. It’s impossible to make a good recipe with rotten ingredients.