DUH v. Bremen Senate

The German Environmental Action (Deutsche Umwelthilfe, DUH) filed a climate action before the Higher Administrative Court of Bremen (Oberverwaltungsgericht der Freien Hansestadt Bremen) against the Bremen Senate, seeking to compel the state government to comply with its statutory climate-planning obligations.

Under the Bremen Climate Protection and Energy Act (Bremisches Klimaschutz- und Energiegesetz), Bremen must reduce its CO₂ emissions by at least 60% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. Emissions had fallen by only 34.8% by 2024, while a study commissioned by the Bremen government projects a reduction of only 40–45% by 2030, even if all currently planned measures are implemented.

The action challenges the Senate's alleged failure to comply with the Act's mandatory corrective-action procedure. Following publication of the preliminary emissions balance in March 2026, the Senate was required to report to the Bremen Parliament by May 31, 2026 on whether the 2030 target was likely to be achieved. It was then required, by July 31, 2026, to submit a draft of additional climate measures if the target was at risk. According to DUH, neither step was taken.

DUH seeks an effective climate action plan setting out concrete, effective, and quantified additional measures capable of enabling Bremen to meet its statutory 2030 target.