Berlin Seeks 1 Million Trees by 2040 as Climate Adaptation Law Passed

Hundreds of thousands of additional trees are to be planted in Berlin over the next 15 years after the state government on Monday passed a climate adaptation law with a large majority.

Only the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) voted against the measure, which was based on a citizens’ initiative.

The legislation aims to ensure Berlin has 1 million trees by 2040, more than twice as many as today. Further measures are planned, such as the creation of more green spaces and better use of rainwater, at a total cost of €3.2 billion ($3.7 billion).

Opposition lawmaker Benedikt Lux from the Greens called on the state government to implement the law quickly.

“You don’t have to be a botanist to know that this law alone won’t make trees grow,” he said.

The BaumEntscheid citizens’ initiative sees the law as a milestone on the way to making Berlin greener and thus more resilient to global warming.

Spokesman Heinrich Strössenreuther said that implementation must begin quickly after the parliamentary decision. “Time is an important factor in climate adaptation.”