German Federation for Environment and Conservation (B.U.N.D.) v. Minister for Commerce and Labor

Two German environmental groups brought a suit seeking to get the German government to release climate change impacts of German export credits. The credits had provided financial support for projects that contributed to climate change. The court ruled that the impacts must be released.

Background
The case began when the German Minister for Commerce and Labor to denied a request by two German environmental groups for information regarding support for energy projects overseas by a German public export credit agency. The environmental groups challenged the denial under the German Access to Environmental Information Act, the European Community Emissions Trading Directive, and the German Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Act which transposed the European Community directive into German law.

The court found that the European Community Emissions Trading Directive and the German Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Act were inapplicable, and only moved forward considering the German Access to Environmental Information Act.

The court ultimately did not issue a judgment but instead brokered a settlement that involved granting the plaintiffs' request for information, within limits.

Links

 * Sabin Center Database
 * Analysis of Issues to be Addressed - Climate Litigation Cases. Friends of the Earth Netherlands (2007).