Protecting the environment. Preserve nature: BUND

BUND sees itself as the driving social force for an ecological and social sustainable development in Germany. Its vision is a future-proof country in a socially just and peaceful world – a goal it pursues on a local, regional, national and international level.

Among other things, BUND campaigns for ecological agriculture and healthy food, climate protection and the expansion of renewable energies, the protection of endangered species, forests and water.

It also raises public awareness of environmental protection and nature conservation issues and explains the environmental and health impacts of products and services.

As a grassroots organization, the strength of BUND lies in the commitment of many people who can contribute through a wide variety of projects and activities.

BUND is a membership association with democratic decision-making structures on all levels. The elected honorary board makes the final decisions for the association on goals, strategies and the use of resources.

BUND is predominantly funded by its own income – primarily through membership fees and donations. BUND is also politically and financially independent. BUND does not accept any financial support from business. While we use public funds for projects, our core work is compeletely independent from state and business money. This gives us a level of political independence which enables us to criticise and campaign against any agent when we consider it necessary.

Global warming is advancing at unprecedented levels. BUND aims to achieve the binding reduction of CO₂ emissions, limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees, cease the use of fossil fuels as quickly as possible and support the countries and people affects by global warming.

While the EU’s current trade agreements undermine democratic, ecological and social standards that civil society has long had to fight for, there are currently no valid regulations that ensure that corporations stop destroying the environment and uphold human rights throughout their supply chains. BUND campaigns for fair global trade and ecological and social standards in the global economy.

From 2021 to 2027, some 32 percent of the European Union’s total budget will be spent on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, the EU’s multi-billion-dollar subsidies continue to be allocated mainly based on area – and not on the social commitment of farmers. BUND aims to use CAP to combat the extinction of small-scale farming, the loss of biodiversity and the pollution of water, air and soil.

The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) is a global policy framework adopted by the United Nations to foster the more effective protection of humans and the environment from harmful chemicals. Through the "SAIM beyond 2020" negotiations, BUND is committed to ensuring that the approach really works in coming years.

This project focuses on promoting ambitious national climate protection plans in Colombia, Georgia and Ukraine. In order to structure climate policies in a fair, locally relevant and ambitious manner, civil society needs to be involved in the development and implementation of nationally determined contributions (NDCs). The project partners work together with stakeholders from civil society to develop a vision for an ambitious and socially just climate policy, which is then presented to governments and submitted to the revision process.

More than 1.5 million consumers in Germany use BUND’s ToxFox app to check for harmful substances in cosmetics and countless everyday products from toys and clothes to furniture and electrical appliances. Since January 2020, people throughout Europe have also been able to check other products using an app based on the ToxFox model. Available throughout Europe, the AskREACH app raises awareness of substances of very high concern in products amongst the general public, manufacturers, retailers and importers.