Parliamentary evening of BdB, bdla, BGL and ZVG on October 15, 2024 in Berlin

The pressure on politicians and administrations to take action to make cities and municipalities climate-proof is increasing. This became clear at the joint Parliamentary Evening of the Association of German Nurseries (BdB), the Association of German Landscape Architects (bdla), the Federal Association of Garden, Landscape and Sports Field Construction (BGL) and the Central Horticultural Association (ZVG) on October 15, 2024 in Berlin. The representatives of the green infrastructure value chain emphasized that in order to not only survive but also thrive economically in times of change, the industry needs politicians to understand its concerns.

The four associations had invited guests to the German Parliamentary Society for an exchange of ideas. The patron of the evening was Member of the Bundestag Stefan Rouenhoff (CDU/CSU parliamentary group).

Stefan Rouenhoff explained: "The green sector is struggling with a constantly growing number of legal requirements. They are a burden, especially for small and medium-sized businesses. The federal government must not deprive these companies of the air they breathe, as they form the backbone of the green sector. The coalition is therefore called upon to implement what it has promised: Less bureaucracy, more planning security and better framework conditions. Simply paying lip service will not strengthen the competitiveness of small and medium-sized businesses."

The newly elected ZVG President Eva Kähler-Theuerkauf referred to the "Future of Horticulture Package of Measures", which was presented to the general public at the beginning of this year. It shows the necessary framework conditions to make horticulture future-proof. According to Kähler-Theuerkauf, these adjustments and solutions must now be tackled as a matter of urgency in order to give businesses planning security. Words must be followed by deeds.

BdB President Hajo Hinrichs emphasized: "The national implementation of the EU's Nature Restoration Law will be a balancing act. It will take immense expertise and a huge budget to make cities naturally climate-resilient with the help of tree planting. And it requires a great sense of proportion to preserve the areas for the production of the required plants."

BGL President Thomas Banzhaf addressed the Natural Climate Protection Action Program (ANK): "The Federal Government has thus launched long overdue and therefore all the more urgent measures for more greenery in cities and rural areas. It is good that the funding for the ANK has been secured, at least for the time being. With the next funding guidelines, it is important that they lead to the practical implementation of green projects. This requires streamlined procedures and attractive funding for local authorities."

bdla President Prof. Stephan Lenzen used the evening to talk in particular about the amendment of urban planning law. Lenzen was disappointed by the inadequate regulations in the BauGB to counter climate change. He criticized the new monofunctional infiltration factor in the BauNVO and pleaded for a green space factor: "Open spaces must be able to do more than just allow precipitation to seep away if they are to help promote climate adaptation and biodiversity in our cities".

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