Statutes

December 2025

Disclaimer – Non-Binding Translation

This English version is a machine-assisted translation of the original German statutes.

It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute a legally binding version.

In the event of any discrepancies, ambiguities, or interpretative differences, the German original shall prevail as the sole legally authoritative version.

STATUTES (BYLAWS)

1 Name, Registered Office and Financial Year

  1. The association bears the name Klimaschutz-Forum.

  2. The association shall be entered in the register of associations and, after registration, shall bear the suffix “eingetragener Verein” (registered association) or e.V.

  3. The registered office of the association is Koblenz am Rhein, Germany.

  4. The first financial year begins on the date of registration and ends on the following 31 December. Thereafter, the financial year shall be the calendar year.

  5. The association is politically independent. Public relations activities and public statements shall be carried out exclusively within the framework of the non-profit purpose (promotion of climate protection). Direct support of political parties or election campaigning shall not take place.

2 Purpose

  1. The purpose of the association is the promotion of climate protection.

  2. The purpose is realized through the raising of funds for advertising aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

  3. The association may also carry out advertising measures itself to promote climate protection.

  4. The association pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the German Fiscal Code (Abgabenordnung).

  5. The association promotes dialogue among various social groups on the subject of climate protection.

3 Non-Profit Character, Use of Funds

  1. The association pursues exclusively and directly charitable purposes within the meaning of the section “Tax-Privileged Purposes” of the German Fiscal Code.

  2. The association operates on a non-profit basis and does not pursue any commercial objectives.

  3. The funds of the association may be used only for purposes specified in these statutes.

  4. Members shall not receive any benefits from the funds of the association. No person may be favored by expenditures that are unrelated to the purpose of the association or by disproportionately high remuneration.

  5. The association may establish reserves within the meaning of § 62 AO, in particular earmarked reserves for the sustainable financing of projects and for provisions for unforeseen expenses, insofar as this is compatible with non-profit regulations.

  6. All holders of offices within the association serve on a voluntary basis.

4 Acquisition of Membership

  1. There are two types of members:

  2. Voting members (maximum of 20)

  3. Supporting members

  4. Criteria for voting membership:
    Any natural person of legal age may acquire voting membership. The basic requirements are attainment of the age of 18, commitment to non-violent conduct, and responsible interaction with the environment and fellow human beings. Furthermore, the person must behave in a politically neutral manner and must not hold a leading position in a political party. Persons who, due to their professional activities, work for governments or economic or political interest groups and may therefore be exposed to potential conflicts of interest are excluded from voting membership. Active commitment to the goals of the association Klimaschutz-Forum is an additional requirement. Persons whose primary income derives from funds of the association or from advertising organizations affiliated pursuant to Section 2 (1) of these statutes are excluded from voting membership unless they are employees of the association.

  5. Any natural person who supports the purpose of the association and makes a regular contribution may become a supporting member. Supporting membership begins upon declaration to the association.

  6. The Executive Board decides on written applications for admission.

  7. There is no legal entitlement to admission. The Executive Board may reject applications without stating reasons. Admission may initially take place as a probationary membership for up to six months; during this period, voting rights are suspended. If confirmation by the Executive Board does not occur within this period, the probationary membership ends automatically.

5 Membership Rights

  1. Supporting members have the right to submit recommendations regarding the activities of the association and to receive regular information on the use of their contributions. This includes periodic written reports, at least annually, on the progress and work of the association’s campaigns as well as information on the annual general meeting. Supporting members may also establish regional groups and actively participate in their meetings.

  2. Voting members have the right to participate in the events of the association, submit motions, and exercise voting rights.

6 Termination of Membership

  1. Voting membership ends:

    1. upon the death of the member

    2. through voluntary resignation by written declaration to the Executive Board

    3. through exclusion from the association (paragraph 3)

    4. through cessation of regular contribution payments

    5. A material reason for exclusion exists in particular in cases of conduct harmful to the association, violations of the free democratic basic order, or public disparagement of the objectives and activities of the association. This includes activities contrary to climate protection or that significantly damage the reputation of the association.

  2. Supporting membership ends:

    1. upon the death of the member

    2. through termination of supporting membership declared to the Executive Board at any time

    3. through exclusion from the association (paragraph 3)

    4. through cessation of regular contribution payments

  3. A member may be excluded from the association by resolution of the Executive Board for good cause if they have seriously violated the interests of the association. Before the resolution is adopted, the member shall be given an opportunity to comment within a reasonable period. The member may lodge an objection to the exclusion decision within one month. The General Assembly shall decide on the exclusion at the next ordinary meeting by a two-thirds majority.

  4. In the event of a serious suspicion, the Executive Board is entitled to order the immediate suspension of membership rights until a final decision is made.

  5. Membership is incompatible in particular with affiliation to organizations or groups whose objectives conflict with those of the association. In such cases, membership ends automatically upon determination of the incompatibility by the Executive Board.

7 Membership Contributions

  1. Annual contributions shall be levied from members and supporting members. Details shall be regulated by a contribution bylaw to be adopted.

8 Bodies of the Association

  1. The bodies of the association are:
    a) the General Assembly (consisting of the voting members)
    b) the Executive Board (consisting of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, and an additional Board Member)

  2. An advisory board or specialist committees may be established.

9 Executive Board

  1. The Executive Board consists of three persons:
    1.1 the Chairperson
    1.2 the Deputy Chairperson, who also serves as Secretary
    1.3 one additional Board Member

  2. The association is represented in and out of court solely by the Chairperson, who has sole power of representation.

  3. Members of the Executive Board are elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years and remain in office until successors are elected.

  4. The Executive Board shall meet at least once per year in a legally permissible form. Minutes of deliberations and resolutions shall be prepared and signed by the entire Executive Board.

  5. Resignation from the Executive Board must be declared in writing to another Board member.

  6. Board membership ends upon receipt of the resignation declaration, loss of legal capacity, or death.

  7. If a Board member leaves office prematurely and the minimum number of Board members would otherwise not be met, the remaining Board members may appoint a member of the association to the Board until a successor is elected by the General Assembly.

  8. If the Chairperson leaves office, the remaining Board members shall elect a new Chairperson from among themselves for the remainder of the term.

  9. Revocation of appointment to the Executive Board by the General Assembly is permissible only for good cause within the meaning of § 27 (2) BGB.

10 Powers and Duties of the Executive Board

  1. The Executive Board is responsible for all matters not assigned to the General Assembly by these statutes.

  2. In particular, it has the following duties:
    2.1 preparation of General Assembly meetings and agendas
    2.2 convening the General Assembly
    2.3 implementation of resolutions of the General Assembly
    2.4 preparation of an annual budget, bookkeeping, and preparation of an annual report
    2.5 decisions on admission and exclusion of members

  3. The Executive Board passes resolutions by a two-thirds majority. It has a quorum if at least two Board members are present.

  4. Board meetings are convened by the Chairperson, or in their absence by the Deputy Chairperson, in written, oral, electronic, or email form with reasonable notice.

  5. Outside of Board meetings, resolutions may be adopted in written, oral, electronic, or email circulation procedures unless mandatory law requires otherwise.

11 General Assembly

  1. The General Assembly is exclusively responsible for:
    1.1 admission of voting members
    1.2 amendments to the statutes and dissolution of the association
    1.3 approval of the budget, receipt of annual accounts and reports, and discharge of the Executive Board
    1.4 adoption of a contribution bylaw (if required)
    1.5 election and removal of Board members (if required)
    1.6 decisions on objections to exclusion resolutions

  2. An ordinary General Assembly shall be held at least once per year. All legally permissible formats are allowed (in-person, virtual, hybrid). Invitations shall be issued in writing at least two weeks in advance, including the agenda.

  3. The General Assembly is chaired by the Chairperson or, in their absence, by the Deputy Chairperson.

  4. The General Assembly has a quorum regardless of the number of members present.

  5. Each voting member has one vote.

  6. Resolutions are passed by simple majority unless otherwise specified. Amendments to the statutes require a two-thirds majority. Amendments to the purpose or dissolution require unanimous consent of all voting members.

  7. The General Assembly may issue recommendations to the Executive Board.

  8. Election procedures: If no candidate achieves a majority in the first ballot, a runoff election shall take place between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.

  9. Minutes shall be taken and signed by the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson.

  10. Subsequent motions to amend the agenda require a two-thirds majority; amendments to the statutes may not be added subsequently.

  11. Extraordinary General Assemblies may be convened at any time if required.

  12. Two auditors shall be elected every two years.

  13. The General Assembly is not public.

  14. Voting members may overturn Executive Board decisions by a two-thirds majority.

12 Liability and Reimbursement of Expenses

  1. Persons acting on behalf of the association are liable only for intent or gross negligence.

  2. Such persons shall be indemnified against third-party liability unless caused intentionally or by gross negligence.

  3. This also applies to the Executive Board.

  4. Persons acting on behalf of the association are entitled to reimbursement of necessary expenses pursuant to § 670 BGB.

  5. Membership contributions may be used to finance liability insurance for the association’s bodies.

  6. The association may support members exposed to legal risks, subject to financial capacity. No legal entitlement exists.

  7. The association’s liabilities are borne exclusively by its assets. Personal liability of members is excluded except as required by law.

13 Dissolution of the Association and Use of Assets

  1. Dissolution may be resolved only by the General Assembly with the required majority. Unless otherwise resolved, the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson act as joint liquidators.

  2. In the event of dissolution or loss of charitable status, the association’s assets shall be transferred to Greenpeace e.V., Hamburg, to be used exclusively for charitable purposes.

14 Entry into Force

  1. These amended statutes were adopted by the General Assembly on 22 November 2025. They enter into force upon registration in the register of associations and replace all previous versions in full.

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