To coincide with the launch of this year’s ‘Heat Check’ on 9 June 2026, the German Environmental Aid Organisation (DUH), together with numerous coalition partners, including the bdla, has launched a petition setting out demands for federal policymakers. They are calling for legislative measures to protect and expand urban green spaces as a means of heat protection.
Addressed to Verena Hubertz, Federal Minister for Construction, and Nina Warken, Federal Minister for Health, the petition sets out five key demands:
- Nationwide tree protection regulations
- Binding minimum standards for urban green spaces (the 3-30-300 rule)
- A ban on felling, with a 3:1 replanting requirement
- Guaranteed maintenance and watering
- Recognition of urban green spaces as public health infrastructure
The DUH’s third heat stress assessment reveals, amongst other things, the disappearance of 900,000 urban trees since 2018, as well as the continued loss of much-needed green spaces, whilst heat stress intensifies every year. Residents are finding fewer and fewer shade-providing trees and cooling green spaces in their local areas. The study examined 195 towns and cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. There are significant regional differences. Lahr, Offenburg and Mannheim fare particularly poorly, whilst Kiel and Wuppertal offer cause for optimism.
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