German Environmental Group DUH Files Constitutional Complaint Against Building Modernisation Act

The German Bundestag passed the Gebäudemodernisierungsgesetz, a law aimed at modernising buildings, which Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) says relies on costly “green gases” and prolongs fossil‑gas infrastructure. DUH argues the act conflicts with the nation’s climate‑protection targets and plans to lodge a constitutional complaint once the legislation is finalised.

Barbara Metz, DUH’s federal managing director, warned: “Shortly after a historic heatwave that claimed thousands of lives, the government adopted a law that artificially keeps fossil heating alive and fuels the climate crisis. This is a concession to the gas and oil lobby. Numerous expert opinions, including from the Union’s own ranks, question the constitutionality of this law.” DUH intends to bring the case before the Federal Constitutional Court to enforce compliance with Germany’s climate goals.

The law’s supporters argue it offers a pragmatic path to building upgrades, but critics fear it undermines the country’s ambition to meet legally binding climate targets and may increase heating costs for consumers.