German Federation for Environment and Conservation (B.U.N.D.) e.V. v. Minister for Commerce and Labor on behalf of Federal Republic of Germany

Summary:

A German court ordered the government to release information on the climate change impacts of German export credits. The credits have provided financial support for projects that contribute to climate change. BUND and Germanwatch brought suit against the government arguing that citizens have a right to the free access of environmental information under the German Access to Environmental Information Act (UIG). The court, in granting the application, rejected the argument that information on German export credit activities did not constitute “environmental information” within the meaning of the UIG and could not potentially affect elements of the environment, such as climate change.

At Issue: Access to information on environmental aspects of German export credit activities