Wuppertal Institute: Cutting Climate Budgets Ignores Multiple Benefits
Wuppertal – November 03, 2026 -- Low water levels in 2026 will cost the German economy almost EUR 18 billion, according to expert estimates cited by the Wuppertal Institute, which argues that cutting climate and resource spending raises costs instead of saving money. The think tank's new policy paper, "Multiple Benefits: the underestimated return on sustainable solutions," was published ahead of the Bundestag's final budget vote on November 27.
Budget holes are increasing pressure to cut climate, environment and resource spending. The institute counters that sustainable measures also improve competitiveness, supply security and public health, and relieve public finances.
Henning Wilts, a member of the institute's executive board and co-author, said that skipping these benefits is shortsighted from both an ecological and an economic perspective.