Germany's climate movement struggles as parties abandon green priorities
Climate policy in Germany is facing serious challenges. Major parties have shifted their focus away from environmental action, leaving activists searching for new ways to push the issue forward. Luisa Neubauer, co-founder of Fridays for Future, recently shared her thoughts on how to rebuild momentum in a changing political landscape. Neubauer played a key role in making climate policy legally binding in Germany. Yet, despite past successes, the movement now struggles to maintain influence. The Green Party has suffered at the polls after pushing climate measures, while the Social Democrats (SPD) have turned their attention elsewhere.
Meanwhile, the Christian Democrats (CDU) have prioritised winning back voters from the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) over climate action. The Christian Social Union (CSU) has even framed traditional habits, like sausage consumption, as part of a future vision. Some left-libertarians, disillusioned by the current direction, are shifting toward left-authoritarian positions. During a recent discussion at FUTURZWEI’s *Weiterdenken* event, Neubauer called for a 'different kind of activism' to break the deadlock. She credited her time at the Obama Foundation with shaping her approach, helping her build networks and refine strategies. The *Weiterdenken* format itself aims to spark fresh ideas through structured, solution-focused conversations.
The political climate in Germany has left environmental campaigners with fewer allies. Neubauer’s call for new tactics reflects the need to adapt in a landscape where traditional advocacy has lost ground. Whether this shift in strategy can revive climate policy remains to be seen.
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