Blog 9 January 2025
Germany’s air quality has significantly improved over the past decades, to a large extent due to the EU’s air quality and emission standards regulations. The revised Ambient Air Quality Directive (AAQD) is now pushing Germany to tap into opportunities to implement innovative measures that not only improve air quality, but also synergise with broader climate and environmental as well as public health objectives. But in recent years, climate and environmental concerns have slipped down the list of political priorities in Germany, while fiscal constraints and economic stagnation overshadow many policy areas.
Support for air quality and climate action remains strong despite political quarrels
Disagreements within the coalition government of the Social Democrats (SPD), the Greens and the Free Liberals (FDP) also impacted Germany’s role in international and European negotiations. Instead of advocating for an ambitious AAQD revision to maximise public health benefits, Germany’s position remained unclear for most of the negotiations. Only towards the end did Germany support the revised directive – and only because potential driving bans had been prevented with the agreed compromises.
Germany‘s upcoming general elections on 23 February 2025 will likely result in significantly more seats for parties that are cautious – if not critical – of more ambitious environmental policies. It is uncertain to what extent the new government will continue the strong foreign climate policy agenda of the last few years – a role that has become even more important with the vacuum that the new US administration is expected to leave in this area and the rise of European governments with weaker commitment to multilateralism and climate action.
Despite the political disagreements, Germany remains an important player in international efforts to improve air quality. Especially the German Environment Agency (UBA) with its extensive expertise and strong engagement with both national and international monitoring, analysis and evaluation activities, as well as research institutions, NGOs and subnational public actors continue to advocate for ambitious clean air policies. As the G7 and G20 approach, Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has the opportunity to play a crucial leadership role championing air quality in the global agenda.
Gentle progress in the transport sector
Looking closer at where the country stands on air quality, it’s clear that Germany faces challenges in meeting the updated air quality standards, particularly for particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) in urban areas. The UBA predicts that compliance with most updated thresholds is achievable by 2030, though hotspots near traffic-heavy areas may require more targeted interventions.
Let’s take a closer look at the transport sector – the “problem child“ of Germany’s climate mitigation efforts. In Hamburg, road traffic is responsible for 30% of particle emissions and for a while now, exhaust emissions make up less than a third of that. A recent study found that tyre and brake wear particles make up 12% of the particle concentrations in Hamburg’s air. The implication is as obvious as politically unpopular: fewer cars, more active mobility and public transportation. The benefits for air quality, reduced noise pollution, more equitable space allocation, fewer greenhouse gas emissions and the direct and indirect co-benefits for physical and mental health – and hence reduced costs – are well known, yet every measure risks the outbreak of a culture war.
After a long dispute in traditionally car-centred Germany, the federal transport ministry finally allowed local governments to consider environmental and climate protection as well as public health objectives rather than only traffic safety and flow in their traffic planning, by introducing a new Road Traffic Act (StVO) in October 2024. This gives municipalities more autonomy in introducing cycling paths, 30 km/h zones, residential parking fees and the like. Many towns and cities have been wanting to introduce more measures but were prevented by the federal regulations, up until now.
Germany’s 36 “environmental zones” also demonstrate the value of urban interventions in reducing air pollution. Recent analyses of patients‘ data from public health insurance shows that even moderate reductions in PM10 and NO2 levels following the introduction of these zones have been associated with decreases in asthma medication use, depression and anxiety diagnoses, and related healthcare costs. Reintroducing and refining such measures based on the updated EU thresholds could extend these benefits to more urban residents.
More fundamental change is imperative
Still, Germany has barely started the transformation of the transport sector. The number of cars has reached another record in 2024 and only 3% of them are fully electric. In line with the global trend, Germany also hit a record in the number of commercial and private jet flights after the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile the railway reached a new record in 2024, too: a record in delays. After decades of underinvestment and faulty management, its poor reputation is not exactly making the switch from car to train journeys attractive. The “Deutschlandticket” was widely celebrated when introduced in June 2022 for costing users an extra €9 a month for country-wide local transportation. Its future recently hung in the balance due to the federal government arguing with the federal states over its funding. Having increased from €49 to €58 a month, the ticket is safe for now but unattractive for many citizens living outside of well-connected cities and towns.
Germany still has a lot to do for clean air at home and beyond. But thanks to the tireless advocacy of a strong civil society, NGOs and research community, socially-just climate action and environmental protection will remain high on the agenda – both domestically and internationally.
