Reform of German flood protection law postponed until after snap election

Germany’s government had aimed to reform several laws to improve flood protection in the country, but environment minister Steffi Lemke told news magazine Spiegel that the reform is no longer possible before the snap election is held in February 2025.

However, the minister said she was confident that the next government and parliament would go ahead with the reform once the new legislative period starts. “The necessary improvements in flood protection and heavy rainfall precautions are too important to let them be pushed aside by the upcoming election campaign,” she said.

Among other things, the draft reform of the law stipulates that the federal states may define “special hazard areas” in flood-prone zones where construction is not permitted. Infrastructure would also have to be made more resilient through “more clearly defined” flood protection requirements. This means, for example, that bridges must have a greater distance from the water surface. “This will reduce the risk of floating debris getting stuck and water building up on bridges,” the ministry said.

Several floods in recent years have pushed German policymakers to emphasise the need for more climate change adaptation, in addition to mitigation. Following flooding in southern Germany in June 2024, environment minister Lemke had said her ministry was working on the Flood Protection Act.

Germany must urgently adapt to the effects of climate change, as floodings – much like heatwaves, droughts and storms – happen more frequently and become more intense. The government is currently finalising its climate adaptation strategy, which would set measurable targets to increase preparedness.