BERLIN, Aug. 27, 2025 — Germany is reorganizing its international climate policy, transferring primary responsibility from the Federal Foreign Office to the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the government announced Wednesday. A new directorate-general for international climate policy will be established under the Environment Ministry, with Heike Henn confirmed as its head.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul stressed that climate action remains a matter of national security. “The climate crisis threatens the livelihoods of many people throughout the world, leading to hunger and conflicts over resources. This has an impact on stability and security, also here in Europe,” Wadephul said. “We will therefore continue to work with partner countries around the world to strengthen climate action and support adaptation – and thus also ensure greater security at home. After all, climate policy is and will remain security policy; it will thus continue to be an important task of the Federal Foreign Office.”
Federal Environment Minister Schneider said the move consolidates Germany’s climate efforts while maintaining strong inter-ministerial cooperation. “German climate policy at national, European and international level is now once again being spearheaded by a single ministry. But we remain committed to working as a team. After all, international climate policy and foreign policy are inextricably linked. Climate action will only be successful if we work together effectively on a global scale. The Federal Foreign Office, with its Core Climate Embassies, plays a strong and vital role in German climate policy,” Schneider said.
The reorganization is aimed at closer coordination between international, European and national climate policies and pooling technical expertise within a single department. The Environment Ministry will now lead international climate negotiations and Germany’s participation in Climate Change Conferences.
Despite the transfer of responsibility, climate policy will remain a core element of Germany’s foreign and security agenda. Germany maintains more than 50 Core Climate Embassies abroad, which will continue to support climate diplomacy. The Environment Ministry will also take chief responsibility for the International Climate Initiative, previously managed by the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, while coordinating with the Development Ministry.
The government said the reforms will help avoid duplication, harness synergies and strengthen Germany’s role as a credible partner in global climate action. Climate change is considered one of the top external threats by the Federal Intelligence Service, and Germany aims to mitigate risks, prevent climate-related conflicts, and build resilience in vulnerable regions through international cooperation.
Through the reorganization, Germany also intends to highlight the nexus between climate, peace, and security, a focus it plans to promote during its candidacy for the U.N. Security Council in 2027-2028.
