Green party warns of cuts to Rhineland-Palatinate's Aktion Grün nature program after coalition change
The Green party in Rhineland-Palatinate is raising alarm over the future of the state's 'Aktion Grün' conservation program, which has funded over 100 projects with €16 million since 2021, after the new CDU-SPD coalition announced an evaluation.
Program scope
Aktion Grün has funded 105 projects across Rhineland-Palatinate from 2021 to April 2026, with around €16 million disbursed, according to a response from the previously Green-led environment ministry to a parliamentary inquiry. The projects were carried out by municipalities (20), associations and organizations (43), and other entities such as churches, foundations, citizen initiatives, and universities (42).
Project focus
The funding covered three main areas: biotope protection (32 projects), species protection (46), and environmental education (27). Notable species protection efforts include a lapwing project by the Society for Nature Conservation and Ornithology (GNOR) and a field hamster project in Mainz, which Heidbreder said saved the last population in the state.
- Biotope protection
- 32
- Species protection
- 46
- Environmental education
- 27
Political reaction
The Green party's environmental spokesperson, Lea Heidbreder, called the program a success and demanded its expansion. She expressed concern that the coalition agreement of the new CDU-SPD government includes an evaluation of Aktion Grün, which she said is causing great worry about cuts.
Without the takeover by 'Aktion Grün', the last population in Rhineland-Palatinate would probably no longer exist.
Heidbreder also criticized the decision to place the environment portfolio under the agriculture ministry, saying it does not bode well for nature and the environment under the black-red coalition.
Government change
The new Agriculture and Environment Minister, Christine Schneider (CDU), recently visited the GNOR lapwing project. The previous environment ministry, led by the Greens before the government change, provided the program data in response to a parliamentary inquiry. The figures are preliminary, covering the period up to the end of April 2026.
