Planned watering down of climate protection targets

Universities, universities of applied sciences (HAWs) and art colleges in Hesse have criticised planned amendments to the Hessian Climate Act. In a joint statement addressed to the Hessian Ministry for the Environment and the Hessian Ministry of Science, they warn against a planned watering down of Hesse’s binding climate protection targets, which will also have implications for higher education institutions. They express concern about the proposed de facto abolition of the independent and non-directive academic climate advisory board.

Hessian higher education institutions regard the planned shift from ‘must’ to ‘should’ provisions in the Climate Act as a deliberate watering down of the state’s climate protection targets, which are based on academic findings and the Paris Agreement of 12 December 2015. The state of Hesse would thus no longer be able to fulfil its role as a role model. The Hessian universities also consider it essential that academic findings, in which researchers from Hessian universities are also involved, continue to be taken into account as important basics for Hessian climate policy.

Independent academic climate advisory board must be retained
The Hessian universities are therefore dismayed that the independent academic climate advisory board, which is not subject to instructions and possesses particular expertise in climate matters, is to be replaced by a climate advisory board, whose members are appointed by the ministers on the basis of their own, as yet undefined, criteria regarding expertise. The universities assess this as an unacceptable breach of the Hessian Climate Act. The Hessian universities demand that the independent academic climate advisory board be retained without exception. Furthermore, the universities advocate that the regular, academic monitoring of climate protection and climate adaptation measures – including mandatory measures to achieve targets – be retained, and that the results be published transparently.

From the perspective of the Hessian universities, it is also essential that the Hessian Climate Plan, which is based on academic principles, continues to provide a reliable basis for planning long-term investment and refurbishment decisions. To ensure that the state administration can become net greenhouse gas-neutral by 2030 as planned, the universities require not only planning certainty but also suitable instruments. Unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions should continue to be mandatorily offset by the state through measures offering significant climate protection benefits.

Particularly in the area of university properties – many of which are in need of refurbishment – planning certainty is important alongside sufficient resources. To protect university operations from the consequences of climate change in the future, the structural and technical resilience of university buildings must be taken into account. Consequently, consistent climate adaptation of state-owned properties and their infrastructure is absolutely essential. Only in this way can it be ensured that Hessian higher education institutions will continue to fulfil their education and research assignment in the future and that the quality of university studies and teaching remains safeguarded in the long term.

Hesse’s universities urge that the arguments and concerns set out above be carefully examined and given due consideration in the ongoing legislative process. They are happy to engage in constructive joint discussions with a view to updating academic and well-founded climate targets.