BaumEntscheid München is a cross-party citizens’ initiative aimed at ensuring that Munich’s streets have enough trees to provide shade. The initiative is supported by a team of volunteers consisting of about 150 Munich residents. BaumEntscheid München 2025 was founded by students Stefanie Günther (M.Sc. Politics & Technology) and Joseph Coenen (M.Sc. Urban Planning) as a nonpartisan alliance, because a heat-resistant and livable future is a task for society as a whole. The initiative is part of the nationwide, nonprofit association BaumEntscheid e.V.
Trees provide shade, cool their surroundings, and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
Why we fund
Street trees are one of the most effective tools for urban climate adaptation: They cool the environment, provide shade, and improve air quality—thereby directly protecting public health and productivity in an increasingly hot climate. They also enhance the quality of urban life. The Munich Tree Initiative transforms public awareness of the overheated cities during the record-breaking summer of 2026 into concrete local political action and commits the city to its own climate adaptation goals.
The goal is to achieve 30% tree canopy coverage along Munich’s streets by 2040—well ahead of the city’s target (2050). Currently, not enough street trees are being planted each year even to meet the city’s 2050 target; along the Mittlerer Ring alone, there is currently a shortfall of 15,000 tree sites. Through a citizens’ initiative, the group has been collecting signatures since May 2026 and will continue to do so until August 31, 2026; at the same time, discussions are underway with the city council factions. Once the signatures are submitted in late summer 2026, it will become clear whether a referendum will be held or if a negotiated solution can be reached.
“These days, we’re all feeling how much the heat is sapping our energy, productivity, and concentration,” says Stefanie Günther, co-initiator of the BaumEntscheid. “Trees provide shade, cool their surroundings, and enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods.”
“To protect the people of Munich, we now need a binding roadmap,” adds co-initiator Joseph Coenen. “Last year, we developed balanced goals that city leaders need to discuss once the petition is submitted.”
FUNDING NOTICE: THE BAUMENTSCHEID MÜNCHEN IS FINANCIALLY SUPPORTED BY THE STIFTUNG ZUKUNFT JETZT!
To protect the people of Munich, we now need a binding roadmap.
