Bavaria amends Climate Protection Act and adopts new climate program

04.05.2026

Source: Bavarian State Chancellery

The Bavarian Council of Ministers has decided to amend the Climate Protection Act and update the climate protection program.

The aim is to strategically realign the Free State and at the same time align it more closely with national and European requirements.

New objectives in the Climate Protection Act

The core of the amendment to the law is an adjustment of the climate targets: In future, Bavaria wants to ensure that greenhouse gas emissions per capita are permanently below the national average. In doing so, the state is aligning itself more closely with the national framework, as central factors for climate protection, such as energy, industry and transport, are mainly regulated at federal and EU level.

At the same time, Bavaria is implementing federal requirements for climate adaptation. In future, comprehensive climate adaptation concepts are to be drawn up by the district governments. These are to contain catalogs of measures, for example for dealing with periods of heat or drought. However, there is no direct obligation to implement them; the decision remains with the relevant local authorities.

Climate adaptation more structured

The new concepts should cover all districts and independent cities. The authorities will be supported by the State Office for the Environment and external planning offices. The aim is to achieve more efficient planning with bundled awards and synergy effects.

Existing municipal concepts do not have to be redrawn, provided they are available by the end of 2027. This expressly preserves municipal autonomy.

Updating the climate protection program

The Bavarian climate protection program was updated in parallel with the amendment to the law. The focus is on four long-term strategies:

• Energy Plan 2040
• Public transport strategy 2030
• Climate-neutral state administration
• peatland protection

These areas are considered particularly relevant for the reduction of greenhouse gases. The program is supplemented by funding measures, for example for climate-stable forests or municipal climate protection projects.

Emissions already below the national level

According to current figures, CO₂ emissions in Bavaria in 2024 were around 6.1 tons per inhabitant, well below the national average of around 7.8 tons. This lead is to be secured and further expanded with the new strategy.

Next steps

The draft law will now go to the associations for consultation and will then be submitted to the Bavarian state parliament. The updated climate protection program will be published at the same time.