Charter for the protection of lakes published

Radolfzell, 18.02.2022: Municipalities and towns on Lake Constance are committed to keeping the lake clean in many ways. The region lives from and benefits from this as a drinking water reservoir, leisure resort and tourist magnet. However, Lake Constance is also a habitat for numerous animals and plants and must be protected as efficiently as possible. Pollution that endangers water quality or biodiversity must be prevented at all costs. Microplastics have only recently been proven to pose a threat. Although the situation on Lake Constance is not yet alarming, vigilance and precaution are advisable to prevent it from worsening.

As part of the EU-funded LIFE Blue Lakes project, the Global Nature Fund (GNF), together with the Lake Constance Foundation, both based in Radolfzell on Lake Constance, has formulated a lake paper on the reduction and prevention of microplastics and plastic waste pollution in and around lakes. The Lakes Paper contains a voluntary commitment that calls on local authorities to protect lakes and their tributaries from pollution by plastic waste and microplastics and to take measures to prevent waste from accumulating in the first place. As part of the voluntary commitment, local authorities can specify which measures they want to take and by when.

The most important aspect of the voluntary commitment is to set a good example and actively involve citizens. The municipalities are supported by the Lake Constance Foundation. Marion Hammerl, Managing Director of the Lake Constance Foundation, says: “The voluntary commitment is not lip service, but a starting signal to avoid further microplastic discharges at Lake Constance at an early stage.” The lake paper describes the current problem situation and is primarily a tool for local authorities. “Demands alone are of little help to the environment and the lake,” Hammerl continues. “With the Lakes Paper, we want to provide local authorities with a tool that describes measures that can be taken in concrete terms.”

The measures presented in a matrix are subdivided into different areas of public life and range from fishing to the weekly market. Examples of what municipalities can do are given for all 15 areas described. The matrix is intended as a suggestion, explanation and aid for developing your own implementation strategy. The municipalities in the Lake Constance catchment area have been sent the voluntary commitment, the lake paper and the matrix. The Lake Constance Foundation will support the municipalities in planning and implementing measures in the coming years and hopes for a close partnership in the fight against the threat of microplastics.

Lakes in Germany are not the only bodies of water affected by microplastic or plastic waste pollution. The lake paper developed at Lake Constance therefore serves as a model for other lake regions around the world. Udo Gattenlöhner, Managing Director of the Global Nature Fund, describes the situation as follows: “In Germany, we know the pollution relatively well and have technical options to avoid microplastics. In many other lake regions around the world, the conditions are much worse. The insidious thing about microplastics is their invisibility. The lake paper, which also addresses plastic waste as a source of microplastics, helps us here.” The Global Nature Fund disseminates the document as a “Lake Paper” among the members of the global Living Lakes network, which it coordinates, and thus supports communities in lake regions worldwide.

Municipalities are key players in the global reduction and prevention of microplastics and plastic waste pollution in lakes. They can set a good example, develop concepts and reach out to their citizens through public relations work. The Global Nature Fund and the Lake Constance Foundation expect a strong signal from local authorities and numerous signatures on the Lake Paper – first at Lake Constance, then worldwide.

The lake paper and other publications on the topic of microplastics are available for download on the Global Nature Fund website.