Ökologische Finanzreform

Biodiversity Harmful Subsidies in Germany

This Chapter contributes to the Publication showcasing the contributions during the event "Economic Incentives that affect biodiversity” on the Isle of Vilm hostet by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN). It examines how government subsidies in Germany contribute to the continued decline of biodiversity. Based on an analysis from 2021, it identifies which subsidies are particularly harmful to biodiversity and where urgent political action is needed. The study begins by explaining different definitions of subsidies and provides an overview of Germany’s official subsidy reporting. It then identifies environmentally harmful subsidies that have demonstrably negative effects on biodiversity—especially in the areas of raw material extraction, agriculture, and transport. Selected examples are assessed in detail, including an evaluation of the biodiversity damage and a quantification of the harmful subsidy shares. The aim of the analysis is to provide policymakers with concrete proposals for reforming or abolishing subsidies that harm biodiversity.