Tesla Gigafactory faces lawsuit from nature conservation organisation despite local approval

The Tesla Gigafactory in Berlin has long been the target of opposition from local residents and environmental activists. The planned expansion of the site, which would involve clearing a large area of forest, led to hundreds of climate activists attempting to storm the factory a few days ago. But now the situation is getting more serious.

The fact that part of the plant is located in a water protection area has also been criticised, in addition to the deforestation. Residents living near Tesla's only EV production plant in Europe have also made their disapproval clear, voting against the planned expansion by almost two-thirds in a public consultation in February. On Thursday, however, the Grünheide local council voted in favour of the construction of additional logistics areas and a freight depot for the plant, against the wishes of the residents.

Tesla agrees to compromise, but Nabu plans to sue

A compromise was negotiated to clear only 50 hectares of the surrounding forest instead of 100 as originally planned. Tesla is now trying to placate Nabu by saying that 70 hectares of forest will be preserved and that the freight station will also reduce truck traffic. Björn Ellner, chairman of the Brandenburg branch of Nabu, the nature conservation organisation, strongly criticised the decision, calling it a 'bitter blow for democracy and the environment'.

Nabu is now working with a lawyer to see what legal action can be taken against the project. But Tesla wants to go further: it wants to double annual production from 500,000 to one million cars. Around 12,000 people currently work at the factory, and they must be just as desperate for a solution to the tense situation.