Nature conservation scandal: Suspicion of billions hits Lower Saxony!

Nature conservation scandal: Suspicion of billions hits Lower Saxony!

The Lower Saxony State Office for Nature Conservation (LaBüN) is currently facing severe criticism. The State Audit Office has made serious allegations that raise suspicions of embezzlement of around two million euros. The money is said not to have been used for its intended purpose, reigniting the discussion about the effectiveness of funding environmental associations. The taz reports that LaBüN, since its founding in 2015 under the then Environment Minister Stefan Wenzel from the Greens, has received initial funding of 300,000 euros annually and subsequent increases up to 600,000 euros in recent years.

The shareholders of LaBüN, including BUND Lower Saxony, NABU Lower Saxony and the Nature Conservation Association of Lower Saxony, should coordinate the associations' participation in important planning approval procedures and legislative proposals. However, the State Audit Office criticizes the fact that the LaBüN's work was never checked for success. He also criticizes the insufficient representation of relevant associations and points out that half of the funding was illegally channeled to eight environmental associations.

Significant defects and refunds

The allegations strain the credibility of the conservation office. What is particularly under scrutiny is the fact that LaBüN employees were overpaid in several cases. There were inadmissible salary supplements, for which demands for repayment amounting to around 3,000 euros have already been made. Christian Meyer, the current environment minister, admitted that mistakes had been made in the past. The flow of funding was stopped in 2022, but LaBüN says it has submitted extensive proof of use, which has never been objected to. The NDR emphasizes that the State Audit Office is demanding the repayment of two million euros and considers the lack of auditing by the Ministry of the Environment to be a contributing cause of the grievances that have occurred.

While there is criticism of the way the LaBüN is constructed, Minister Meyer emphasizes the relevance of the coordination office and the need to adequately support nature conservation associations. He describes the process as transparent and points out that all funding is included in the state budget. Despite the serious allegations, it remains exciting to see how the funding of the State Office for Nature Conservation will continue, as the allegations are still pending legal review.

Nature and environmental protection in Lower Saxony

In Lower Saxony, nature and environmental protection are also very important outside of the LaBüN. The Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) offers various funding programs that have been taking initiatives to secure biodiversity and landscapes since 2014. Since 2023, the focus has been on new measures called “Agar Environment and Climate Measures (AUKM)”, which replace the older programs and place particular emphasis on the coordination between nature conservation and agriculture.

These programs are part of a comprehensive strategy to protect and conserve habitats. They also support innovative approaches to collaboration between different actors. But how the recent scandals will affect future funding remains to be seen. Lower Saxony has put a lot of commitment into nature conservation, and it is now up to those responsible to regain the public's trust and ensure that the funds reach where they are needed.