More Trees for Berlin – Criticism of Senate’s Pace
Berlin, May 19, 2026 – The first steps in implementing Berlin’s new Climate Adaptation Law have been taken, but an initiative that strongly advocated for the law fears delays. The city aims to significantly increase the number of trees in the next 15 years, with a target of over a million trees by 2040.
Senator for Environment and Climate Protection, Ute Bonde (CDU), announced after the latest state government meeting that a Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Adaptation and a Steering Committee have been established. The advisory board comprises five scientists specializing in urban development, health, climate change, and landscape architecture, appointed for an initial five-year term. Their role is to advise the Senate and provide expert opinions on measures and programs designed to address the consequences of climate change in Berlin.
The Steering Committee is still in the process of being appointed, according to Bonde. The Climate Adaptation Law, approved six months ago on November 21, serves as the legal foundation for making Berlin greener and achieving its goal of hundreds of thousands of additional trees by 2040.
Deadlines Not Fully Met
Bonde admitted that the deadlines stipulated in the law have not been fully met. “It is true that a deadline of May 21 is indeed enshrined in the law,” she stated. Her administration had submitted a discussion paper to the Senate. “However, it is also true that we should have presented this specific concept to the House of Representatives by May 21,” Bonde added.
“We really did everything we could to meet this legal deadline. We did not succeed, I must admit,” Bonde said. Nevertheless, the Senate will make the necessary decision very soon, and she expects it to be submitted to the House of Representatives in June.
Previously, the “BaumEntscheid” initiative had warned of delays in the implementation of Berlin’s Climate Adaptation Law. The association criticized that failing to meet the legal deadline endangered the entire legal timetable. Bonde dismissed such concerns, stating that there was no fundamental procrastination or delay.
Heinrich Strößenreuther, initiator and board member of “BaumEntscheid,” sharply criticized the Senate: “Unfortunately, we must evaluate the first six months as a false start, as neither personnel nor budgets for expert consultations have been provided,” he accused the state government.
Citizen Initiative Was Successful
The association argued that the tree protection ordinance must be reformed by May 21 at the latest. Furthermore, funds and positions for the implementation planning project and the scientific advisory board, including its secretariat, should have been available by then.
The Climate Adaptation Law is closely based on a proposal by the citizen initiative “BaumEntscheid,” which had initiated a popular petition. The state parliament approved the draft law in November, thereby averting a popular petition and a potential referendum.
According to the law, Berlin is to have over one million trees by 2040 to better prepare for climate change and global warming. This is more than double the current number of trees. Further climate adaptation measures are planned, including more green spaces, improved rainwater management, and mandatory heat action plans.
The increased tree population is intended to mitigate the effects of rising temperatures, improve air quality, and enhance biodiversity within the city. The initiative emphasizes the importance of these measures for the well-being of Berlin’s residents and the long-term sustainability of the urban environment.
The “BaumEntscheid” initiative remains vigilant, urging the Senate to accelerate the implementation process and allocate the necessary resources to ensure the successful realization of the Climate Adaptation Law. They stress that timely action is crucial to address the growing challenges posed by climate change.
The Senate, while acknowledging the missed deadline, has reiterated its commitment to the law’s objectives. The upcoming decision and subsequent submission to the House of Representatives in June will be closely watched by environmental groups and the public alike.
