Grüne on the environment and animal welfare

The Greens want to designate many new nature reserves and link biotopes across Bavaria. Habitats such as floodplains, moors and near-natural forests would be restored and preserved to slow species loss.

The Greens want more areas for nature protection. Animals and plants should be able to live there safely. The areas should be linked to each other. Moors, floodplains and forests should become more natural again.

Biotopes would be mapped, connected and linked statewide. The federal and EU biodiversity strategies would be carried out in Bavaria. To that end, the European Natura 2000 network of protected areas would be quickly developed into an effective biotope network. The program points to the biodiversity referendum backed by 1.7 million people and argues that diverse nature secures ecosystems, food and drinking water.

The Greens want to set up an action plan to protect and restore habitats, waters and biodiversity, funded with at least one billion euros over five years. Peatlands are to be rewetted, and no new ski facilities are to be built in the Alps.

The Greens want to protect nature in Bavaria better. They want a plan with many measures. The plan gets at least one billion euros over five years. Peatlands should become wet again. No new ski lifts should be built in the Alps.

The EU Nature Restoration Regulation is to be implemented as soon as it takes effect. District governments and county offices would get 200 additional positions for advice and inspections. In the Alps, the program rejects new ski runs, lifts, snow cannons and reservoirs and wants to promote nature-friendly tourism instead. Cities are to get more near-natural parks and flower meadows and receive help with clean-air plans aimed at the stricter limits of the World Health Organization. Landscape conservation associations, contract-based conservation, environmental education and the circular economy are also to be strengthened, and light pollution reduced.

The Greens want stronger protection for drinking water and groundwater: more water protection areas, a "Wassercent" (a levy on water extraction) and a central groundwater register. Drinking water supply is to stay in public hands because the program regards water as a public good.

The Greens want to protect drinking water. There should be more water protection areas. Anyone who takes groundwater should pay a small fee. This is called the Wassercent. Drinking water supply should stay with the state and the towns.

Water protection areas are to cover twelve percent of Bavaria's land area by 2030. Groundwater extraction is to be monitored digitally so that no one takes more than permitted. Deep groundwater is to serve only as an emergency reserve and be used only if a cleanup plan for near-surface groundwater exists at the same time. No new permits for industrial extraction of deep groundwater are to be granted. A groundwater strategy is meant to reduce pollutant inputs.

The Greens want to keep rivers, streams and lakes clean and restore them to a natural state. Landscapes and municipalities are to be redesigned to store water like a sponge, which is meant to help against drought and protect against flooding at the same time.

The Greens want clean rivers and lakes. Cities and landscapes should be able to hold more water. This is called a sponge city. It helps in dry times and in floods. Rainwater should be collected.

The EU Water Framework Directive is to be implemented and inputs of nitrate, pesticides, microplastics and PFAS reduced. Barriers in rivers are to be removed where possible, and wastewater plants fitted with a fourth treatment stage where feasible. Treated wastewater is to be reused, for example for irrigation, and rainwater collected in cisterns. For flood protection the program relies on ecological measures such as restored tributaries, more room for floodplains and relocated dikes; flood polders are to remain the exception.

The Greens want to quickly convert Bavaria's forests into mixed forests rich in species and structure so they can better withstand warming. The state forest is to become a "climate forest" geared to the common good rather than profit, while local timber is to be used more.

The Greens want to change the forests in Bavaria. Mixed forests with many kinds of trees should grow. Such forests cope better with heat. The state's forest should mainly serve the climate and the people. There should be more foresters.

A habitat network of near-naturally managed forests and natural forests is to be created in the state forest; state forest land is no longer to be sold for commercial and industrial zones. Private forest owners and municipalities are to get more funding and advice, and the contract-based conservation program for forests will be expanded. Job cuts among district foresters and forest workers are to stop, and additional positions created. Hunting policy follows the principle "forest before game," with a wildlife management law planned. Local timber is to become the norm in public construction, and the market for hardwood, including a regional sawmill industry, is to be strengthened.

The Greens want to establish a third Bavarian national park in the Steigerwald by the end of 2027 at the latest and designate further protected and wilderness areas based on scientific criteria. To ease coexistence with predators such as wolves, livestock protection is to be funded across Bavaria.

The Greens want a new national park in Bavaria. It should be in the Steigerwald forest. It should exist by the end of 2027. There should be more protected areas. Farmers should get help to protect their animals from wolves.

The program regards beech forests, peatlands, riverine and floodplain forests and the Alpine region as especially worth protecting, saying Bavaria bears great responsibility here. Management of such forests is to be supported with funding and advice. For predators, the party seeks population management that differs by region. Funding for livestock protection is to apply throughout Bavaria and also cover ongoing maintenance costs; damage is to be compensated quickly and without red tape.

The Greens want a binding rule that halves daily land consumption in Bavaria to five hectares. The goal is to be reached in stages by 2028; the party says this preserves the landscape and revives town centers.

A lot of land is built on in Bavaria every day. The Greens want to cut that in half. No more than five hectares a day should be newly built on. This should be a fixed rule. The goal should be reached by 2028.

The cap applies to new land for commercial use, housing and transport. The statewide land budget is to be divided among municipalities using a degressive population model, so that small towns get more land per resident than large ones. Municipalities are to have as much flexibility as possible in using their budget. In the program's view, this leaves enough room for development and housing.

The Greens want to promote closed material cycles. Anyone who has an electrical appliance repaired would get half the cost back as a bonus, so that less electronic waste is produced.

The Greens want less waste. If you have an electrical device repaired, you get half the cost back. Repair cafés get support. The state should also think of the environment when it buys things.

The state is to set environmentally friendly standards in its own procurement for agencies and institutions. The repair bonus for residents covers 50 percent of the repair cost of electrical appliances. In addition, repair cafés and start-ups that give used products a second life are to receive funding.

The Greens want to appoint an independent animal welfare commissioner and have livestock farms and slaughterhouses inspected more often and without notice. Animal testing is to be gradually replaced under a phase-out plan, cruel breeding banned and animal shelters better funded.

The Greens want to protect animals better. An independent person should look after animal welfare in Bavaria. Farms and slaughterhouses should be checked more often, also without warning. Animal testing should become less and later stop. Animal shelters get more money.

Veterinary offices are to get more staff, and an animal health database is meant to help authorities spot problem farms early. Checks at animal carcass disposal plants are to be expanded. Specialized public prosecutors' offices and units are planned in all seven administrative districts. Animal transports where compliance with animal welfare law is not assured are to be stopped. For the phase-out of animal testing, the plan includes funding for animal-free research, an annual research prize and a testing commission with equal seats for animal welfare and science. Shelters are to get easier access to money for construction and renovation, and municipalities are to be supported in neutering cats.