the fight for clean air in germany...revenue - and provides nearly 800,000 jobs in germany alone,...
TRANSCRIPT
The fight for Clean Air in Germany
Why we need to strengthen the civil society
15.5.2019 | Green Week| Barbara Metz, Deutsche Umwelthilfe
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 2
Dieselgate and its consequences
What really happened…
What we were promised…
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 3
Diesel engines are the main source of nitrogen dioxide in our cities
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 4
Health problems related to nitogen dioxide
13,100 premature deaths in Germany every year (European Environment Agency, October 2018)
800,000 respiratory, cardiovascular and diabetes cases due to nitrogen oxides every year (Federal Environment Agency, March 2018)
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 5
The special role of the German car industry
Germany's world-leading automotive industry, that generates 404 billion euros in annual revenues -roughly 20 percent of Germany's total industrial revenue - and provides nearly 800,000 jobs in Germany alone, has a considerable influence in German politics
Unlike in the US, manufacturers in Germany have still not been held responsible for their actions or asked to pay fines
On the contrary: They continue to make record profits in Germany and the Federal Government not only accepts all the excuses made, but also lobbies for their interests and needs
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 6
Our fight for Clean Air
Due to persistent air pollution, and German authorities not taking action, despite being aware of the problem, DUH started supporting lawsuits by affected citizens
The landmark decision of the European Court of Justice from 2008 confirmed the enforceable “Right to clean air” for all EU citizens
Finally in Federal Administrative Court assigned this right of action to organisations
On 27-2-2018, the Federal Administrative Court confirmed that Diesel bans are a suitable measure to comply with the limit values as quickly as possible
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 7
Today we have 35 lawsuits for clean air in Germany.
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What we have achieved so far
Although federal and state politicians refuse to implement the legally binding verdicts, we have significantly contributed to a shift in mobility in Germany:
Our court cases have put massive pressure on politicians and enhanced a strong public debate
All the cities we are suing now have a Clean Air Plan, enhancing a shift in mobility and transportation
At the time being, Diesel bans are in force in Stuttgart and Hamburg,more will follow later this year
The German Government has provided more than 1 billion euros to support thecities during transition
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 9
How citizens support our work
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 10
NGOs such as Deutsche Umwelthilfe reveal abuse of power and ensure that laws are also adhered to by industry and the State
We ensure transparency and detect violations of law
In case of doubt we check the facts and make our own measurements
We carry out ecological market surveillance
We fight for the rights of consumers and the environment
Role of the civil society for our democracy
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 11
Reactions of German industry and government to our work
The attacks against us and our work have beenincreasing with the exposure and the success of our work
BASF, Daimler and VW have openly attempted to impede our work and by issuing damage claims in the millions
Politicians are increasingly pressured to change laws restricting the rights of civil society groups in the interests of big corporations
Just in December 2018, Angela Merkels governing partyCDU demanded the withdrawal of our non-profit status as well as our right of action before administrative courts
In a functioning democracy, tax offices decide on non-profit status and courts on the rights of action. However, it is an alarming political signal to even make the demand!
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 12
We need a strong civil society…
… Because the balance of power between corporate lobbyists and critical civil society has been shifting to the detriment of civil society
… Because civil society organizations are an important part of our democracy, especially when they are critical and inconvenient. NGOs are a necessary counterbalance to the increasingly strong corporations
Deutsche Umwelthilfe e.V. | Green Week | Barbara Metz| 15.5.2019 | Brussels 13
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Thank you very much foryour attention!
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