Court in Germany refuses to satisfy lawsuit of eco-activists against Volkswagen

The Land Court in Braunschweig refused to satisfy the claim of environmental activists and the organization Greenpeace against Volkswagen, writes Deutsche Welle, citing the decision of the court.

Eco-activists demanded from the automobile concern to implement in practice the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany dated 2021, according to which the future generations have the right to climate protection. In particular, Volkswagen was demanded to stop selling cars with internal combustion engines by 2030.

The court recognized the legitimacy of the activists' demands, but the activists, according to the court, had addressed them to the wrong place. The protection of such fundamental rights as the right to property, freedom and health is carried out in the relationship between citizens and the state, not a private company, which is Volkswagen, the chairman of the court. Therefore, activists will have to come to terms with Volkswagen's production and emissions.

In the meantime, Greenpeace is not abandoning its attempts to get Volkswagen to stop using internal combustion engines in its cars. The next attempt will be made on February 24, when the court in Detmold will decide on the lawsuit of a farmer who - also with the support of Greenpeace - demands that the automaker abandon these types of engines.