While countries like France and the Netherlands are increasingly introducing measures to limit emissions and the resulting pollution in the transport sector, some German cities now want to abolish the long-standing environmental zones. As of March, Karlsruhe, Pfinztal, Schramberg and Heidelberg will no longer have low emission zones. Will other German cities follow suit?
With 22 low-emission zones, Baden-Württemberg is the federal state with the most low emission zones in Germany. Since 2009 and 2013 respectively, car traffic in the cities of Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Schramberg and Pfinztal has been regulated by low emission zone regulations. Many other cities and municipalities in the state have also introduced environmental zones over the years. As a result, air quality in Baden-Württemberg has improved considerably. But now they will be a thing of the past for the four towns - and possibly soon for others. The regional council in Karlsruhe will abolish them on 1 March 2023. Only the ban on lorries passing through the Reinhold-Frank-Straße in Karlsruhe will remain in place - at least until the end of June.
Over the last few years, the emission situation in Heidelberg, as well as in Karlsruhe, Schramberg and Pfinztal, has improved so much that the proportionality of the measure has been called into question if it is to be continued under current conditions. A review of the possible abolition of the environmental zones was therefore carried out by the Regional Council on behalf of the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Transport. The result? According to the report, the nitrogen dioxide concentration, calculated on an annual basis, was below the limit value of 40 µg/m³ and the limit value for particulate matter was also undercut. The environmental zones active in Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Schramberg and Pfinztal were therefore no longer necessary. Moreover, the authorities are certain that the abolition of these would not lead to a renewed increase in pollution levels. The cities are firm in their view that emission-related driving bans are no longer permissible. At the current level of air pollution, the disadvantages for motorists, according to the regional council, would be much greater than the advantages that the environmental zone would bring for air quality and the environment. However, the air situation is still being monitored and the entire air pollution control plans for the districts are being reviewed.
However, the question arises: will these soon be abolished in other cities as well? After all, similar review procedures elsewhere in Germany could also show a significant reduction in pollutant emissions and thus possibly offer the possibility of abolishing existing environmental zones. Whether and how many cities or municipalities will follow this example is not clear. However, it is becoming apparent that the following will also soon have no restrictions. The Stuttgart Regional Council is already preparing to abolish the environmental zones in Wendlingen am Neckar (Esslingen district), Schwäbisch Gmünd (Ostalbkreis), Ilsfeld (Heilbronn district) and Urbach (Rems-Murr district). As early as next May, there could no longer be any low-emission areas in all the municipalities concerned.
Nevertheless, climate experts and environmentalists consider the decision from Baden-Württemberg to be premature. Especially since the European Union is considering tightening the limits to bring them closer to the threshold recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO). This is precisely why countries like France and the Netherlands are taking an increasingly strict approach to the problem of air pollution and are gearing their emission-reducing plans towards the goal of a cleaner transport future. In order to comply with stricter limits, there is, in the final analysis, hardly any alternative but to introduce stricter measures. Measures that are not necessarily, yet often take the form of environmental zones. These are ultimately considered to be one of the most successful instruments for reducing traffic emissions, for example by locking out the most polluting vehicles from traffic.
Although rule adjustments may be made for traffic in Baden-Württemberg in the future, or the authorities may again decide to announce the establishment of low emission zones. Nevertheless, the decision is considered to send an alarming signal. In addition to possibly jeopardising the progress made in air quality, Baden-Württemberg runs the risk of creating the false impression among citizens that what has been done was and is becoming sufficient. That in a certain sense it is no longer necessary to commit to emission reduction. When in reality, a much greater commitment is needed to achieve climate goals in the fight against climate change.
It is of crucial importance how the federal state and the rest of Germany will deal with the issue of a more environmentally friendly transport design in the coming months and years in terms of environmental protection. A stronger commitment to the environment, also on the part of politicians, must no longer be postponed to an abstract future. In the meantime, it is certain that motorists driving in Karlsruhe, Pfinztal, Schramberg and Heidelberg will no longer have to deal with green regulations as of March.
Not to be forgotten, however, are all the environmental zones still active in Germany - as well as in the rest of Europe. As always, all information is available on our website and in the Green-Zones app.