Regulatory Strategies to Protect Wild Animals and Plants from Light Pollution

Artificial light at night is increasingly recognized as a significant environmental stressor. Germany has legally acknowledged this growing concern through the Insect Protection Act - an amendment to the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG). Since 2021, a new provision (§ 41a BNatSchG) has set the framework for regulating artificial outdoor lighting. However, this provision will only take effect once a specific regulation is issued, defining precise emission limits and technical and design requirements for outdoor lighting systems.
To prepare this regulation, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection, supported by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, has commissioned the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) to develop specific regulatory proposals. The goal of the research project is to determine scientifically sound emission thresholds and technical requirements for lighting systems, providing a solid foundation for species protection. Drawing from ecological, legal, and administrative perspectives, the project takes an interdisciplinary approach to develop consistent, legally binding requirements. The result will be a pioneering regulatory framework - the first of its kind internationally.