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(B.U.N.D.) e.V. v. Minister for Commerce and Labor on behalf of Federal Republic of Germany - order

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In the early 2000s, non-profit organisations BUND (Friends of the Earth Germany) and Germanwatch e.V. brought suit against the government in the Administrative Court of Berlin, arguing that citizens have a right to free access to environmental information under the German Access to Environmental Information Act (Umweltinformationsgesetz, UIG), in particular regarding German export credit activities. The export credits in question provided financial support or guarantees for projects in the field of energy production. 

On March 2, 2006, the court proposed a settlement of the case without prejudice to the different opinions on the legal obligations and without setting a precedent. It also offered a legal opinion without precedent. The court rejected the Ministry’s argument that information on German export credit activities did not constitute “environmental information” within the meaning of the UIG and could not potentially affect elements of the environment, such as climate change. The parties accepted the proposed settlement. The Ministry then committed to releasing comprehensive information on the climate change impacts of German export credits.  

(B.U.N.D.) e.V. v. Minister for Commerce and Labor on behalf of Federal Republic of Germany

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

This sector involves the wholesale and retail selling of goods.

A subsidy is a direct or indirect payment to individuals or businesses, typically provided as a government cash payment or a specific tax reduction.

Coal is a combustible sedimentary rock formed from carbonised plant matter, rich in carbon and hydrocarbons, and occurring in several main types including hard coal and brown coal.

Tradable permits are market-based tools that grant permission for specific activities, frequently used to regulate emissions. These permits can be issued within a trading system to manage environmental impacts.

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

Activities that involve planning, designing and building infrastructure, residential, and commercial structures.

Oil is a combustible liquid fossil fuel composed mainly of hydrocarbons, occurring as crude oil and refined into petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and kerosene.

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

Activities of government agencies and institutions that provide public services, enforce laws and manage public resources.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

(B.U.N.D.) e.V. v. Minister for Commerce and Labor on behalf of Federal Republic of Germany - order

Policy instrument

Fossil fuel

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Finance