What
The ANK action plan looks at the role of Intact ecosystems as a natural defence against climate change. Forests and floodplains, soils and peatlands, seas and water bodies, urban and rural near-natural green spaces remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it for the long term. Additionally, intact ecosystems act as buffers against the impacts of climate change by accommodating floodwaters and providing cooling during hot weather. Not least, they sustain our foundations of life, provide important habitats for animals and plants, store water and are places of respite and recreation for people. The plan comprises 69 measures in a total of ten fields of action, for example, peatlands, forest ecosystems, seas and coasts, settlement and transport areas or research and capacity building. Until 2026, four billion euros has been earmarked for implementing the plan.

Goal
The Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity will protect, strengthen and restore ecosystems.

Recent activities
The Federal Environment Ministry of Germany had received around 120 opinions and more than 1,000 online comments. The content of every proposed improvement was reviewed, and the plan had met with a great deal of approval and support. After being adopted by the Federal Cabinet in March 2023, the Action Plan is now entering its implementing phase.

Benefits
The plan links climate action with nature conservation and ensures that degraded ecosystems regain their health, their resilience and their biodiversity.

Lessons learned
The Action Plan is the result of a comprehensive participatory process. Through the process of receiving opinions and online comments from interested stakeholder, it helped forge a broad alliance for implementation including landowners, nature conservationists and other local stakeholders.

Synergies with other 10 Point Plan Points
2 – Synergies with Climate Finance

Relevant links and resources
https://www.bmuv.de/en/topics/nature-and-biological-diversity/overview-nature-and-biological-diversity/naturebased-climate-action

https://www.bmuv.de/en/publication/aktionsprogramm-natuerlicher-klimaschutz