Reinforced dams and dykes, more space for rivers, less sealing of areas: the Green Party wants to prevent flood disasters with a billion dollar package.
Berlin - As a consequence of the recent flood disaster, the Greens are calling for a preventive package of up to 25 billion euros.
"Climate precaution, that is, adaptation to the effects of the climate, must become a guiding principle, because it requires a joint effort by the federal and state governments," said parliamentary group leader Anton Hofreiter of the Rheinische Post. “We have to get better at disaster control, climate precaution and climate protection. Because such heavy weather events will occur more frequently in the future, ”warned the Green politician.
"In practical terms this means: better flood protection, reinforced dams and dykes, more space and drainage channels for smaller rivers, less sealing of areas, a different approach to moors, forests and, in general, agricultural areas," emphasized Hofreiter.
The Greens assumed for the next ten years 20 to 25 billion euros for better climate precautions.
Reconstruction after the disaster will also cost a double-digit billion amount.
Prepare municipalities for climate change
“Prevention must become the guiding principle of a new policy”, it says in a seven-page paper by the party and parliamentary group leaders, which is available to the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”.
With a “climate protection fund”, the federal government should support municipalities for a period of ten years to adapt to the consequences of climate change, be it heat or floods.
"It is about nothing less than a comprehensive modernization program for our infrastructures, cities and villages," says the newspaper, according to the paper.
There should be tax incentives or subsidies for homeowners in the future if they arm their buildings against heavy rain or floods.
A natural hazard insurance "should become standard", thinks the Green tip.
A “climate damage cadastre” is also required, which records regional consequences.
More precise forecasts of climate damage
The Federal Environment Ministry also wants to initiate such a climate damage register.
Environment State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth told the German Press Agency in Berlin: “Germany urgently needs a better knowledge base on the damage and costs of climate change.
The most recent severe weather disaster made this clear to us.
But what is really in store for us is not always easy to determine today: climate impacts are complex, studies often only consider a section of reality, information flows between relevant bodies are not sufficiently established. "
A systematic recording for the whole of Germany is therefore not yet possible, according to Flasbarth.
“But decision-makers in the federal, state and local governments need to know who suffers most from the consequences of climate change and what damage and preventive measures really cost.
This is necessary in order to better estimate future needs. "
A climate damage register will provide answers in the future.
The Ministry is currently having the Federal Environment Agency develop its methodology and structure.
"Potential damage and expected costs can then be forecast even better and the right precautions can be taken in good time." Dpa
