The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has called for the handling of climate change to be anchored in the Basic Law.
"Effective precaution is only possible together with the federal government, states and municipalities," said the President of the Federal Environment Agency, Dirk Messner, of the editorial network Germany (RND; Friday editions).
"That is why adaptation to climate change should become a joint task - and that must be included in the Basic Law."
This goal must be pursued "with the highest priority" by the new government.
In a position paper, the head of the federal authority also proposes a nationwide Climate Adaptation Act.
The measures required to combat global warming are "essentially known," said Messner.
"This includes unsealing areas, leaving more space for watercourses, converting cities for heavy rain and arming them against heat, and implementing new settlement plans."
What is missing, however, is the legal and financial framework so that these measures can also be implemented across the board.
The head of the authorities urges the implementation of the measures to be hurried.
"Only ambitious climate protection can prevent the consequences of global warming from being even more extreme than we have just experienced in the flooded regions," he said.
pw / hcy