10. November 2026 | Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour

State Climate Advisory Councils Call for Consistent Climate Policy

The climate advisory councils of nine German federal states are calling on the federal government, the states and local authorities to maintain existing climate targets and implement them consistently. Prof. Dr. Cornelia Betsch, Director of the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour (IPB), contributed to the joint appeal as a member of the Thuringian Advisory Council on Climate Protection and Climate Change Adaptation.

On the occasion of the Conference of Energy Ministers in Göttingen and the start of the UN Climate Change Conference COP31 in Antalya (November 9–20, 2026), the climate advisory councils of nine German federal states are sending a joint message in support of reliable climate policy.

In their appeal, they call for maintaining and consistently implementing existing climate targets. They argue that these targets are essential for Germany’s economic future: they provide planning certainty for investment in future technologies, reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports and strengthen regional value creation.

Prof. Dr. Cornelia Betsch, Director of the Institute for Planetary Health Behaviour (IPB) at the University of Erfurt, contributed to the appeal as a member of the Thuringian Advisory Council on Climate Protection and Climate Change Adaptation.

Climate action is also an investment in the health and future resilience of our society. Particularly given the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on human health, it is essential to translate scientific evidence into political action," says Cornelia Betsch.

The climate advisory councils emphasise that climate neutrality is a key prospect for Germany’s future – supporting a competitive economy, energy sovereignty and strong regions.

Read the full appeal (PDF)