To ensure continued decarbonisation in line with the Paris Agreement and to close the gap between promises and practice, it is essential for countries to set specific emission limits and lay out a plan to reach climate neutrality. Legal provisions must further provide clarity on how and by whom climate obligations are put into practice. With carbon budgets shrinking, every new project that leads to more greenhouse gases must be scrutinized as to its climate impact, compatibility with emissions reduction obligations, and necessity. This requires legal guidance and support for authorities responsible for the approvals of those projects. This article proposes one potential mechanism, based on experiences with the German Climate Protection Act, that could help to improve the predictability of decision-making regarding the approval and planning of potentially climate-damaging projects.