BUND Lower Saxony: Wave of lawsuits against environmental damage caused by the A20 and A39!

BUND Lower Saxony: Wave of lawsuits against environmental damage caused by the A20 and A39!

Things are boiling in Northern Germany! Road construction is currently being criticized, especially the construction of the A20 and A39 motorways, which are encountering considerable resistance from the population. The BUND Lower Saxony announces an audit of the state highway authority's permits to uncover possible violations of environmental law. If it turns out that the permits are incorrect, BUND will not hesitate to file a lawsuit.

An online event will take place on December 3, 2025, which will deal with current developments and the overall political situation surrounding the controversial construction projects. The aim is to offer citizens transparency and create space for questions. BUND has been successfully fighting against the construction of new highways for years and now wants to resort to legal means again to prevent climate damage and the destruction of rare habitats.

Resistance on the streets

Much of the resistance comes from the Lüneburg population, who perceive the projects as a threat to their environment and quality of life. The planned felling of trees in the Lüner Holz forest area, which will be affected by the A39, is particularly explosive. A vigil takes place here every third Sunday of the month to draw attention to the threat of interference with nature. It is repeatedly emphasized that this is not just a structural measure, but an intervention in valuable living spaces.

The A20 runs from Westerstede to Bad Segeberg, while the A39 runs from Lüneburg to Wolfsburg. The A39 currently consists of two sections, while a “gap” of 105 km is to be rebuilt between 2027 and 2030. These demands have heated up people's minds and are calling for a rethink in how we deal with the infrastructure.

Sustainability in focus

A new approach to road construction could be the concept of sustainability accounting, which is being developed by a working committee. This means that when constructing and maintaining roads, not only economic aspects but also ecological and social-cultural factors should be taken into account. Various criteria are taken into account, ranging from the amount of greenhouse gas emissions to the resistance of the construction methods to climate change. The results of this analysis should form the basis for new road infrastructure projects in the future and help to better achieve social goals such as: FGSV explained.

The discussion about road construction in Northern Germany is therefore not only a regional issue, but also an overarching issue that stimulates many people to think. The coming developments, especially the online event and the continued growing resistance, are likely to show whether there is a rethink in politics and the institutions concerned.