ALLIANCE 90/THE GREENS: A1 construction endangers Eifel biodiversity!

ALLIANCE 90/THE GREENS: A1 construction endangers Eifel biodiversity!

The debate about the further construction of the A1 in the Eifel is causing quite a stir after the Federal Administrative Court dismissed the BUND's lawsuit against the associated planning approval decision. The construction of the motorway in Rhineland-Palatinate has now been formally approved, and many environmental policy actors are concerned about the ecological consequences. The Ahrweiler district association of BÜNDNIS 90/THE GREENS accepts the legal decision, but criticizes the priorities set as ecologically unacceptable. They describe the Eifel area as a biodiversity hotspot, whose species worthy of protection could be endangered by motorway construction, which endangers the goals of species protection. Here they argue for bypasses at critical points instead of cutting them up with a new motorway, like that Rhine-Ahr display reported.

The ecological consequences of road construction are also well known. Germany has around 830,000 kilometers of roads, and new and expansion measures are now to be accelerated. However, transport professor Helmut Holzapfel warns of the devastating effects on nature and the climate. Sealing areas not only endangers biodiversity, but also changes the microclimate. Studies show that road construction directly contributes to the destruction of biotopes and that in England, for example, around 30 million birds are killed by cars every year. Holzapfel calls for a rethink in transport policy Frankfurter Rundschau points out that existing roads could be better used through electrification and automation without taking up new space.

Environmental protection versus transport infrastructure

The current developments have also brought NABU onto the scene. The position paper that is now available makes it clear that the transport infrastructure represents a significant climate and environmental problem. Responsible planning must take greater account of the protection of nature and minimize interventions. Unfortunately, only 73% of the planned compensatory measures are implemented in practice, often with insufficient effect. NABU is therefore calling for a clearer prioritization of environmentally friendly modes of transport such as rail, which requires significantly less energy and resources compared to roads. Comprehensive solutions could be found by reactivating existing routes instead of building new roads. The importance of a future-oriented model is pointed out here, in which the branched traffic planning is reconsidered in the spirit of species protection, such as NABU emphasized.

Finally, it should be noted that the Ahrweiler district association of BÜNDNIS 90/THE GREENS not only advocates for a sustainable transport policy, but also calls for funds for highway expansion to be reallocated to climate-friendly mobility solutions. It remains to be seen whether policymakers will respond to these urgent appeals, or whether the highway will simply continue to be built without taking into account the true costs to nature and the climate.