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Fields of action for nature-based solutions for climate and biodiversity

Taking action on climate, strengthening natural ecosystems

The Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (KNK) is part of the German Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity (ANK). The aim is to strengthen ecosystems and therefore make a key contribution to climate protection. Fields of action for the ANK include conservation measures for peatlands, forests, wilderness areas, soils, oceans, bodies of water and urban green spaces. If maintained in an intact state, these can counteract the impacts of climate change – by storing carbon from the atmosphere, for example.

In 2021, the amended Federal Climate Change Act laid down targets for the reduction of carbon emissions by terrestrial ecosystems. Performance towards these targets are captured in the total net emissions of the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector. The target for average net emissions in this sector for the period 2027 to 2030 is minus 25 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents per year. This means that every year, the LULUCF sector must remove and permanently store 25 million tonnes more CO2 equivalents than it emits. The targeted net emissions for the period 2037 to 2040 is minus 35 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents and the annual goal for the period 2042 to 2045 is minus 40 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents. The ANK aims to help contribute to achieving these targets.
The Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions is the central instrument for achieving climate targets in relation to terrestrial ecosystems and significantly improving their condition in Germany. Both on land and in the oceans, these systems should become more diverse, more resilient and closer to their natural state. To this end, the ANK has set out 69 measures within a total of ten fields of action. A budget of EUR 3.5 billion is available for implementation by 2028.

Natural climate protection in video format from the Federal Environment Ministry

Forests and climate protection

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The video explains how forests contribute to climate protection and how they can mitigate the effects of climate change, such as flooding and droughts. The video also shows how the Federal Environment Ministry's "Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity" strengthens and protects forests.

Oceans and climate protection

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Oceans and coasts are important climate protectors. This is because salt marshes and seagrass meadows on the coast and in the sea are large carbon reservoirs. They also protect us from storm surges. But that's not all: our oceans and coasts provide food and habitats for many animals and plants and thus contribute to biodiversity.

Soil and climate protection

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The video explains how soil contributes to climate protection, its importance for biodiversity, and how soils can mitigate the effects of heavy rainfall and droughts. The video also shows how the Federal Environment Ministry's "Natural Climate Protection Action Program" strengthens and protects soils.