German Environmental Award goes to climate lawyer and engineer
500,000 euros for more climate justice and better waste water treatment. Federal President Steinmeier: Give high priority to climate action.
Aachen (dpa) – This year’s German Environmental Award has been shared equally between the engineer Klaus Vossenkaul from the Aachen municipal region and the Hamburg-based lawyer Roda Verheyen. Vossenkaul received the award for his innovative further development of membrane filter technology for waste water purification in sewage treatment plants. Verheyen was awarded the prize for enforcing legal requirements for more environmental and climate justice.
During the award ceremony in Aachen, Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier appealed for climate action to be given high priority regardless of “day-to-day political events”. “We know that we have to rethink the way we live and do business. Why? In order to leave our children and grandchildren a planet worth living on,” said Steinmeier.
The German Environmental Award pays tribute to achievements by people that contribute in an exemplary manner to protecting and preserving the environment. With a prize of 500,000 euros, is one of the most highly endowed environmental awards in Europe.
