Good practice in integrating Nature-based solutions into policy in the EU: the German Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity

Resource description:

Description of policy:

WHAT

The Federal Action Plan on Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity (ANK) is a national government strategy and funding instrument that aims to significantly improve the condition of ecosystems in Germany, by strengthening their resilience, restoration and protection, to meet climate mitigation and adaptation goals. It was adopted by the German government in 2023 as the central instrument for achieving Germany’s climate targets in the “Land Use, Land Use-Change and Forestry” (LULUCF) sector and addresses the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss. The ANK provides financial incentives for the voluntary implementation of nature-based climate action at scale, while supporting education and information activities, large research projects and monitoring.

HOW

The action plan includes 69 measures within ten fields of action, including peatlands, forests, wilderness and urban areas. Support is provided, for example, to local actors striving to rewet peatlands, agricultural businesses purchasing soil conserving machinery, or municipalities implementing nature-based climate action.

WHO

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMUKN) is the lead ministry responsible for the ANK. It sets the policy framework, administers funding, and oversees the strategic direction.

The Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) acts as the central coordinating body for the ANK. In this role, the BfN:

Guides the implementation of funding programmes.
Supports all participating institutions, including federal states and relevant agencies.
Oversees monitoring and evaluation.
Supports the establishment of regional offices.

Other involved partners:

Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (KNK): In October 2023, the Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (KNK) was established as a central focal point for topics related to nature-based climate action in Germany. The KNK coordinates advice on nature-based climate action at federal level, offers information about available funding, provides science-based subject-specific information, and organises networking events for stakeholders and interested parties. One of its functions is to offer advice about the ANK funding programmes, which are rolled out through the funding banks or other partners.
ANK regional offices serve as focal points for regional and local stakeholders, and as of July 2025, an office has been set up in almost all of Germany’s federal states. These will play a key role in further raising awareness and acceptance for nature-based climate action, providing information and advice, and helping to promote best practices.
Project management agencies and funding banks (Zukunft – Umwelt – Gesellschaft Z-U-G ; KfW bank; FNR Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e. V.; Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank (Germany’s development agency for agribusiness and rural areas)).
Research institutions: the Interdisciplinary Scientific Advisory Board as well as several universities and research institutions participate in ANK-funded measures.

Good practice criteria:

NbS mainstreamed in policy text and/or NbS as a central component of policy response: NbS form the core of the programme, with the aim described as being the protection and restoration of nature and ecosystems to meet climate goals for mitigation, adaptation and resilience and to restore species and habitats. The programme targets its measures to achieving synergies between biodiversity and climate to create win-wins both in rural and urban areas.

Societal challenge(s) are addressed and human wellbeing outcomes are specified: The action programme is the central instrument for achieving Germany’s climate targets of the LULUCF sector by strengthening resilience, restoration and protection of ecosystems. It addresses the dual crisis of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Dedicated budget and/or funding stream: From 2024 to 2028, a total of 3.5 billion EUR is earmarked for its implementation. As of May 2025, 16 ANK funding programmes were launched and more than 9 000 projects accepted. The government is due to announce an update to the budget in the second half of 2025.

The KTF (Climate and Transformation Fund) is the principal funding stream supporting the ANK. The KTF is administered by the Federal Ministry of Finance with parliamentary oversight and auditing by the Federal Audit Office.

Indicators of impact and evaluation framework: The ANK operates a mandatory impact-orientated monitoring and evaluation system as a basis for measuring the success of the funding measures. The evaluation framework includes both generic socio-economic indicators that apply to every project, as well as ecologic indicators specific to each field of action. The ANK will publish an evaluation report by the end of 2025, which will outline the degree of implementation and the impact of included measures.

Inclusivity and stakeholder engagement: The ANK programme was developed through in-depth dialogues with stakeholders - including government institutions, associations, farmers, foresters, land managers, and other affected groups. The participatory process, including feedback on the draft Action Plan, generated 120 written opinions and over 1100 individual comments on a dedicated online platform.

Involvement of local communities and other stakeholders has remained a feature of the programme and is a responsibility of the national advisory centre (KNK) and the regional offices.

Consistency within policy mix: The ANK programme is designed to align with the goals of German climate law (particularly the German LULUCF targets), and the national strategies for climate adaptation, biodiversity, peatland, and water:

Federal Climate Action Act (KSG)

Enacted in 2019, last amended in 2024. The revision adopted in December 2023 prioritises nature-based solutions to climate adaptation at the federal level and defines climate adaptation planning obligations for federal states and local governments. The law defines German LULUCF targets for 2030 (minus 25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent), 2040 (minus 35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent), and 2050 (minus 40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent).

Constitutional reform for climate targets (approved in 2025)
The Bundestag enshrined reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2045 in Germany’s constitution.
National Strategy on Biological Diversity 2030 (Adopted in 2024)
Seeks to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems by 2030 (EU target: 20%, CBD target: 30%). Emphasizes NbS for climate adaptation and promotes sustainable land use.
German National Water Strategy (Adopted in 2023)
Promotes restoring floodplains, rewetting peatlands, agroecological practices, etc. Measure 60: A federal programme of climate measures in water management and water body development to be launched as part of the ANK. ANK funds and strategy are integrated with the “climate-related measures” and the establishment of the Blue Belt Programme to restore waterways to near-natural status.
German National Peatland Protection Strategy (Adopted in 2022)
Aims to restore drained and degraded peatlands for carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services. The strategy credits funds made available by the ANK with enabling the quick implementation of “concrete measures on a large scale”.
German CAP (Common Agricultural Policy) strategic plan 2023-2027

The protection of wetlands and peatlands is now integrated into the German CAP strategic plan.

Knowledge development and transmission: The ANK Field of Action 9 ‘Research and Capacity Building’ aims to support knowledge availability on NbS society-wide, and specifically in places where measures can be implemented. The ANK reaffirms a commitment to funding NbS research, including through the Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Germany Strategy for Adaptation to Climate Change (DAS). This commitment has led to the establishment of a Centre of Competence for Nature-based Climate Action (launched in 2023) to coordinate NbS advisory services.

Other avenues where the ANK programme illustrates support for knowledge sharing include: