Essential Diversity

Germany is a nation of great biological diversity. Around 48,000 species of animals, 9,500 species of plants and 14,000 species of fungi are native to the country. Protecting the foundations of life is an official national objective, a requirement added to the Basic Law The Basic Law The Basic Law determines that Germany is a constitutional state: All state authorities are subject to judicial control. Section 1 of the Basic Law is of particular relevance. It stipulates that respect for human dignity is the most important aspect of the constitution: “Human dignity shall be… Read more › in 1994. From the North Sea to the Alps, 16 widely different national parks National parks To a large extent the 16 national parks in Germany are located in the north of the country. They are all noteworthy for their unique nature and landscape and serve to preserve the natural diversity of rare plants and animals. The largest is the Schleswig-Holstein Mud Flats National Park Wattenmeer,… Read more › and UNESCO biosphere reserves serve to protect the environment and natural world. There are also thousands of nature reserves.

Germany is a signatory to the major international biodiversity conventions and numerous intergovernmental agreements and is involved in many programs aimed at protecting the natural world. By ratifying the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the governments of 196 countries have committed themselves to protecting the diversity of life on Earth. Germany first adopted a national strategy on biological diversity in 2007. The Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › considers maintaining species diversity as “the duty of humanity and an ethical obligation”. Its support for the objectives of the EU’s biodiversity strategy, which include providing legal protection for at least 30% of the continent's land areas and 30% of its marine area.

In Germany, 35% of native species and 31% of native plant species are endangered. The measures put in place to address this include minimising the harm caused to habitats from the construction of homes and roads, as well as keeping pollutants to a minimum, such as those due to intensive farming and the excessive use of fertilisers. The rate at which land is used for settlements and new roads is to be reduced to less than 30 hectares a day by 2030. Work is also in progress to leave 2% of Germany’s land area “wild” and to allow 5% of forests to develop naturally.

The Federal Government Federal Government The Federal Government and cabinet is made up of the Federal Chancellor and the Federal Ministers. While the Chancellor holds the power to issue directives, the ministers have departmental powers, meaning that they independently run their respective ministries in the framework of those directives… Read more › ’s National Marine Strategy aims to boost protection for the seas. The seas are rich in biodiversity. They provide raw materials, energy and food, but are at risk around the world from pollution and plastic waste. Special protection zones in the North Sea and the Baltic off Germany’s coast are being created to provide effective marine protection. In 2022 the United Nations United Nations The United Nations (UN) has a key role to play in the international system. Germany has been a UN member since 1973. Since joining, Germany has taken on more and more responsibility and is now one of the largest donors and supporters of the United Nations. For example, Germany is the second largest… Read more › Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolved to conclude a legally binding convention by the end of 2024 which would regulate how plastic is managed in an environmentally friendly way, from manufacture to consumption and recycling or disposal. The Federal Government considers this a major success.

Insects are an essential part of ecosystems, but their number and diversity have suffered serious declines for years. To combat the decline in insect populations, a comprehensive package of measures was adopted in 2021. These include improving protection for biotopes such as meadow orchards as habitats for insects. The use of pesticides in agriculture will also be reduced.