Germany’s top civil court rejects a landmark case seeking to force BMW and Mercedes to stop selling combustion-engine cars by 2030, upholding corporate legal boundaries
KARLSRUHE: Germany’s highest civil court has dismissed a landmark climate lawsuit against automotive giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
The Federal Court of Justice rejected arguments that the companies must stop selling combustion-engine cars from 2030, upholding earlier rulings from lower courts.
The case was brought by the environmental group Environmental Action Germany (DUH). It sought to apply a constitutional duty to protect future generations from climate change directly to corporations.
The court found citizens’ personal rights were “not affected… by the business activities of the defendant”. It stated private individuals cannot demand automakers cease selling such cars ahead of European Union deadlines.
DUH had demanded a 2030 phase-out for fossil fuel-powered cars. This is five years earlier than the EU’s current plan, which was diluted last year after automaker lobbying.
DUH executive director Barbara Metz said the ruling does not “absolve Mercedes-Benz and BMW of their responsibility for the climate crisis”. She argued it stems from their sale of millions of combustion engine vehicles to maximise profits.
Metz said the court clarified that responsibility lies with the federal government. She called on Chancellor Friedrich Merz to increase climate action.
Mercedes-Benz welcomed the ruling for providing “a clarification of our democratic system”. The company stated that setting legal climate requirements is the legislature’s responsibility, not the judiciary’s.
BMW said the decision contributed to “legal certainty for companies operating in Germany”. It maintained the climate debate must occur within the political process through elected parliaments.
The lawsuit was part of a broader trend of activists using courts to enforce climate action. Campaigners were encouraged by a separate ruling last May where a court acknowledged companies could in principle be sued over emissions.
That case, brought by a Peruvian farmer against utility RWE, did not result in awarded damages. The carmakers’ case reached the Federal Court after appeals against favourable rulings in Stuttgart and Munich.
German automakers have invested billions transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles. Progress has been slowed by lower-than-expected consumer demand, higher costs, and patchy charging infrastructure.
The Sun Malaysia
