Fighting heat with trees: Greenpeace calls for greener cities!

Fighting heat with trees: Greenpeace calls for greener cities!

In a recent survey by Greenpeace among the state capitals of Austria, significant data gaps on the renaturation regulation were pointed out. The organization sees an urgent need for action in the heavily sealed inner cities, which are increasingly suffering from hot days, floods and bad air. This situation not only leads to an increase in heat deaths, but also exacerbates the problem of urban heat islands.

The EU Renaturation Regulation, which is of central importance for the restoration of nature in Europe, stipulates that by 2030 the area of ​​green space and tree canopies will not only be preserved, but also grow. Greenpeace is calling for strong implementation of this regulation in order to make cities climate-fit. According to the provisions of the regulation, measures for renaturation must be implemented in at least 20 percent of land and sea areas by 2030. This also applies to urban areas, where renaturation measures are vital for combating climate change and can contribute to the restoration of damaged ecosystems ( BfN reports ).

Urgent need for action

The survey results show that many cities in Austria have not yet carried out complete data collection on their tree population. What is particularly striking is that cities such as Bregenz, Salzburg and St. Pölten have not provided any data on their tree population. Linz, on the other hand, has obtained precise information on tree canopy cover using AI-supported analysis. Greenpeace highlights that Vienna states that around a third of the city is shaded by trees; However, this value is actually only 15.4 percent in the residential area. This discrepancy shows the inadequate basis for effective urban greening measures.

An important goal is to create urban forest areas that can not only improve air quality but also reduce the temperature in cities. Urban trees have the potential to cool the ambient temperature by up to 15 degrees, which is particularly important on hot days. Sealing surfaces with concrete and asphalt increases the heat load and promotes the formation of heat islands, which inevitably leads to a decline in quality of life.

Sustainable urban planning

The Renaturation Regulation represents an obligation for member states to develop national restoration plans, which must be submitted to the EU Commission by September 1, 2026. In Germany, a plan is being worked on at the federal level, with the Federal Ministry for the Environment being supported by the BfN. These plans are crucial to reducing the ecological footprint of urban areas and combating biodiversity decline and the effects of climate change ( LWG Bavaria reports ).

A current research project is investigating the suitability of native and non-native plant seeds in urban areas to increase biodiversity and the food supply for pollinating insects. Climate change is affecting the development of urban plants and their relationship with pollinators. This underlines the importance of a holistic view of urban greenery and biodiversity in urban planning.

Greenpeace is calling on the federal government to quickly implement the renaturation regulation in order to create the urgently needed green spaces in cities and thus improve the quality of life and resilience to climate challenges.