GermanZero

Effective climate protection must start at many levels. This means not just being active at the local or federal level, but tackling both at the same time.

GermanZero is accordingly focusing on two things: the 1.5-degree legislation package and local groups. The local groups, which now number over 70, organize climate petitions or policy talks in their respective communities.
GöttingenZero has emerged as one such local group.

1.5° legislation

GermanZero has worked on a legislative package with the help of numerous experts, stakeholders and citizens until February 2022. This package is based on a climate plan that was developed in the fall of 2019. This climate plan outlines all the measures needed to achieve climate neutrality in Germany by 2035. This also includes options for concrete implementation in a single city. What exactly this includes (the legislative package, a brief summary of the most important measures etc.) can be found here for download on the GermanZero website.

Local groups

The local groups, which now number more than 70, are working locally to implement the climate targets. The focus in the groups is partly on the citizens’ petitions that are taking place and partly on discussions with politicians.

Talking to politicians

To ensure that the plan outlined in the 1.5-degree legislative package is actually implemented, citizens enter into direct contact with politicians. The goal is to ensure that the legislative package is understood, adopted and implemented by those who can pass the law.

Local climate referenda

The legislative package and the policy discussions on this are mainly directed at the federal level; however, climate protection must also happen locally. To this end, more than 70 climate groups are now organizing local climate referanda in their villages, towns and communities.

The goal of such referanda is to pass legally binding resolutions to become climate neutral by 2035 or 2030. Here in Göttingen, we organized a citizens’ petition to initiate such a referendum. However, the referendum was rejected by the city in February 2022 with reference to the city’s declaration of intent to strive for climate neutrality by 2030 of December 2021.