Local Governments

Freiburg is often described as Germany’s "environmental capital city". This reputation is reflected in its citizens’ strong environmental awareness, a long-term environmental policy designed as a sustainable development plan for the city, and a wide network of institutions from science, business and civil society dedicated to climate protection.

Freiburg has set the ambitious target of reducing its climate-damaging emissions by at least 50% by 2030, while aiming in the longer term to become a climate-neutral city by 2050. To raise public awareness, the city has launched several initiatives such as "CO₂ Diet", "200 Active Families for the Climate", and the "Klima-Klub". In recognition of these efforts, Freiburg received an award in the "Kommunaler Klimaschutz 2013" competition.

The region also aims to source 100% of its energy from renewable sources by 2050. For several years, Freiburg has integrated energy considerations into the development of its neighbourhoods. The "Freiburger Effizienzhaus-Standard", which applies to new buildings, exceeds the requirements set out in the federal Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV).

Through initiatives such as the "SolarRegion Freiburg" project, the city has also established itself as a leading centre in the use and development of solar energy. 

Karlsruhe is an international city, long defined by a spirit of openness and tolerance. Given its proximity to the border and its strong regional interdependence, Karlsruhe has, for many years, been actively involved in cross-border cooperation within the PAMINA area and the Upper Rhine region, at the meeting point of France, Germany, and Switzerland.

In climate protection, as in many other fields, meaningful impact can only be achieved when action is effective at the local level. The global challenge of climate change must therefore also be addressed by municipalities, and Karlsruhe has embraced this responsibility, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to climate protection.

Karlsruhe has set a long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. A new climate protection strategy is currently being developed to provide a concrete roadmap for implementation over the coming years. The city also participates in the European Energy Award, a recognised management system for municipal climate protection.

Alongside climate protection, adapting to the unavoidable consequences of climate change is becoming increasingly important. The City of Karlsruhe was among the first municipalities in Germany to develop a comprehensive, systematic strategy for addressing climate.

In 2009, the Eurométropole de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Metropolitan Area) adopted a climate plan with clear targets: reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, and sourcing 20–30% of energy from renewables such as biomass, geothermal energy, and anaerobic digestion.

Since 2010, this political commitment has led to renovations in 33 educational and sports facilities, including swimming pools, sports centres, the Palais de la Musique et des Congrès, and several schools. All new public buildings now meet the BBC (Low-Energy Building) standard, and several passive buildings have also been built.

Another key focus is reducing energy use in public lighting. Despite a 20% increase in lighting points since 2008, the City of Strasbourg has cut energy consumption by 9% over the same period.

The City and the Eurométropole of Strasbourg have also introduced a mobility plan for their staff that promotes the use of public transport, cycling and carpooling. Moreover, 800 staff members have been trained in eco-driving. The municipal vehicle fleet is becoming increasingly sustainable, with nearly half of the vehicles now powered by gas, electricity or hybrid technology. The metropolitan area is also hosting a world-first trial involving plug-in hybrid vehicles.

As early as 2006, as part of its first territorial climate plan, Mulhouse Alsace Agglomeration (m2A) launched a wide range of initiatives covering energy savings, green spaces, air quality, sustainable economic zones, transport, and waste management. Following the merger of the 32 municipalities within the agglomeration in 2010, the update of the climate plan provided an opportunity for m2A to reaffirm and strengthen the momentum across the entire territory. The m2A climate plan aims both to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to prepare the region for the climate and energy changes ahead. Total energy consumption is to be reduced by 20%, primarily through energy efficiency measures, while the share of renewable energy is expected to reach 20% by 2020.

More than 100 partners have signed the m2A Climate Plan, and over 500 companies have demonstrated their commitment through concrete actions. Hundreds of initiatives have been implemented around the themes of "buying and consuming sustainably", "planning and managing the territory responsibly", "building and renovating for the future", "travelling in an environmentally responsible way", and "informing, raising awareness and providing training". As part of the climate plan, 3,000 trees have been planted, six eco-districts or similar development projects have been launched, five municipalities have committed to sustainable energy production, public transport networks and cycle paths have been expanded, and numerous energy-efficient renovation projects have been carried out.

The Landkreis Lörrach (District of Lörrach) is located in the far south-west of the Federal Republic of Germany, in the area known as the "Three-Country Corner". It shares a border along the Rhine with Switzerland (Basel) to the south and with France to the west. The District lies within a tri-national region that includes Freiburg, Colmar, and Basel. Nearly one million people live in this shared economic and cultural area, which is characterised by strong economic activity, an attractive landscape, and rich cultural diversity. These favourable conditions are further enhanced by cross-border, tri-national cooperation.

Climate protection, the energy transition and the expansion of renewable energies are among the key environmental and societal issues of our time. Today, every citizen is aware of the global impact of climate change and its far-reaching consequences. However, the effects of this change are also increasingly being felt at the regional level in specific sectors.

The District of Lörrach provides a strong example in this regard. In May 2015, it adopted binding climate protection targets during its plenary assembly. The District aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2025 and by at least 56% by 2050, using 2012 levels as a baseline. These targets were established based on a greenhouse gas emissions inventory conducted by the District of Lörrach Energy Agency in 2012, which will guide future decision-making.

The PETR (Territorial Public Agency) of Northern Alsace was established on 1 January 2019, transforming the mixed syndicate of the SCoTAN. It is a public institution composed exclusively of six inter-municipal authorities (one communauté d’agglomération (conurbation autority) and five communautés de communes (federations of municipalities)).

Its main responsibilities and missions include:

• Spatial planning, including the management and monitoring of the SCoT
• Climate – air – energy through the development and oversight of the PCAET
• Developing the territorial project
• Promoting the development of renewable energy

Governance bodies:

• A syndicate committee
• A syndicate board
  …with additional structures specific to the PETR

Two consultative bodies:

• A territorial development council
• A conference of mayors of Northern Alsace

Territorial Overview:

The PETR Pays de Saverne Plaine et Plateau, located in north-western Alsace, brings together three Communautés de Communes (federations of municipalities) (Alsace Bossue, Pays de Saverne, Hanau-La Petite Pierre), serving a population of 89,000 inhabitants. Its administrative centre is the town of Saverne. The territory enjoys a strategic location at the heart of the major metropolitan areas of the Grand Est region (Strasbourg, Metz, Nancy) and borders Saarbrücken.

The mission of Pays de Saverne Plaine et Plateau is to mobilise local stakeholders and resources to foster the sustainable development of its territory.

Its key areas of activity include:

• Urban planning and territorial development
• Energy transition
• Economic development
• Health

For more information about Pays de Saverne Plaine et Plateau, visit: http://www.paysdesaverne.fr

Breisach am Rhein – A City with 1,650 Years of History
Breisach am Rhein is one of the oldest towns in Baden-Württemberg, with a history shaped by centuries of change. After the devastation of the Second World War, during which much of the city was destroyed, the citizens of Breisach resolved that their town should become a "European City". This commitment remains alive today, and European identity continues to play an active role in civic life.

Municipal Climate Plan
In partnership with badenova, the city of Breisach has developed a municipal climate plan. The city is committed to implementing the measures outlined in this plan. To achieve this, it will establish the necessary structures (such as a Climate Protection Advisory Council), assign responsibility to relevant parties, and allocate financial resources within the municipal budget to support implementation.

Full implementation of the 19 measures is expected to save around 2,819 tonnes of CO₂ per year from 2023 onwards (approximately 1.7% of 2010 emissions, but around 5% of emissions from private households and 17% from public buildings). In the short term (from 2018), annual savings of approximately 608 tonnes of CO₂ are achievable.

Breisach City Climate Plan PDF (in German)

The city of Offenburg is located in the eastern part of Baden-Württemberg, between Freiburg and Karlsruhe, and about 20 kilometres from Strasbourg. With just over 60,000 residents, it is the largest town in the Ortenau district. Offenburg has been actively engaged in climate protection for many years. Its first "energy plan" (Energiekonzept) was introduced in the 1980s, and the city has been a member of the Climate Alliance (Klimabündnis) since 1995. In 2012, the City Council adopted a municipal climate plan, which has been implemented ever since.

Offenburg has made significant progress, especially in energy management. Since 2011, the city has used green electricity for municipal buildings, public lighting, and road signals, and installed photovoltaic panels on its rooftops. According to its own energy guidelines, strict standards for future energy consumption are applied to all new municipal buildings and major renovations. To ensure that energy efficiency and climate protection are sustainably embedded across all relevant municipal departments, Offenburg introduced the "European Energy Award" (eea) quality management system in 2015. The associated certification process regularly audits the city’s activities and, through benchmarking against other cities, confirms that Offenburg is on the right track.

Progress has also been made in mobility. Cycle paths have been expanded, bicycle lockers were installed, and a fully automated bike garage was built at the train station. Several "mobility stations" allow residents to borrow bicycles and cars, including electric vehicles. The city administration and municipal utility (Technische Betriebe Offenburg – TBO) also prioritise climate-friendly travel, using electric cars or e-bikes for short trips and public transport for longer business journeys. Since 2012, the TBO fleet has been progressively transitioning to vehicles with alternative drive systems.

More information: www.offenburg-klimaschutz.de
 

The city of Emmendingen has been committed to climate protection for the past 15 years. Key municipal milestones include re-municipalising energy supply (2004), introducing municipal energy management (2005), and establishing climate protection guidelines with concrete targets (2009).

In 2010, Emmendingen embedded climate protection in its municipal strategy by preparing a climate protection plan, securing City Council approval for its implementation, and building professional expertise within the administration. As a first step, a district renovation plan (Quartierskonzept) supported by KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) was developed between 2012 and 2015 and implemented in Emmendingen's largest district, Bürkle-Bleiche. The "Stadtteilkampagne Bürkle-Bleiche" project successfully increased the renovation rate of existing buildings to 3% and was selected as a national model project for energetic urban refurbishment (www.energetische-stadtsanierung.info).

Since 2016, the city-wide "Energiehaus Emmendingen" programme (www.energiehaus.info) has continued to support property owners in energy-efficient renovations, achieving significant success. The "Energiehaus Emmendingen – aus dem Stadtteil für die ganze Stadt" campaign is funded through the national climate protection programme with €285,300 from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and €114,120 from national public funds (www.eu-kommunal-kompass.de).

Emmendingen is the only city in Baden-Württemberg to have received two national awards for climate protection: "Klimaneutrale Kommune" in 2010 and "Klimaschutz mit System" in 2014. The city has also earned recognition through other awards such as "Energieregion Südschwarzwald" (2015), "GreenITown" (2016), "Bürgerenergiegenossenschaft des Jahres" (2017), and the "KEA Wärme-Contracting Prize BW" (2018). Additionally, Emmendingen actively participates in Franco-German exchanges on municipal climate protection.

To raise awareness among even more citizens, Emmendingen published a brochure in 2019 providing contact details for responsible officers and practical recommendations for climate-friendly actions (www.emmendingen.de).

Bad Krozingen – A Town of Experience and Compassion

Bad Krozingen is the beating heart of southern Breisgau. Once a classic spa town, it has evolved into a vibrant city combining acute medicine, rehabilitation and healthcare with skilled jobs in crafts, commerce, and services. The town also boasts comprehensive educational facilities, including all types of secondary schools, excellent retail options, and a well-developed public and private transport network.

The heart of the region beats in Bad Krozingen, both literally and figuratively. The town’s cardiac centre is the largest employer in the spa town and, thanks to its outstanding work, serves as the driving force of the local health sector. It is complemented by eight rehabilitation clinics and a dense network of doctors, physiotherapists,is it g and other healthcare providers.

A Healthy Climate for a Good Quality of Life
 

We bear a great responsibility towards the world of tomorrow. To protect its environment and climate, the city of Lahr was quick to adopt more efficient use of energy in electricity, heating and transport, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Lahr sent a clear signal in climate policy by joining the Climate Alliance (Klimabündnis) in 1993, contributing locally to global climate protection. For decades, we have been successfully implementing our long-term climate strategy in a systematic way. Our commitment to climate protection is recognised beyond Baden-Württemberg.

While our initial goal focused on global climate protection, we are increasingly addressing adaptation to regional climate change. We continually monitor our objectives and outcomes, balancing and adjusting them as needed, which is the only way to stay on course. We lead by example, supporting citizens, households and businesses, as well as energy providers E-Werk Mittelbaden and badenova, along the path to success. Every contribution matters, whether from private households or large companies.

Our municipal climate policy has a proven positive impact, both ecologically and economically. We reduce risks, create a worthwhile future perspective, and shape the future fairly and sustainably.

We do this for the current and future citizens of Lahr, so they too can enjoy a high quality of life.

Mayor Dr Wolfgang G. Müller

What is a PETR?
A PETR (Territorial and Rural Balance Hub) is a legal entity – a "local public establishment" – designed to bring together its members around a shared territorial planning and development project. The legal framework for PETRs was established by the 24 January 2014 law on the modernisation of territorial public action and the affirmation of metropolitan areas (the "MAPTAM" law).

A PETR thus provides a framework for inter-municipal territorial projects and solidarity initiatives. Its governance includes not only the usual syndicate committees, board, and president but also two consultative bodies: the "conference of mayors" and the "territorial development council", a representative body made up of stakeholders from across the local area.

Climate, Air and Energy Approach
Committed to a Territorial Climate-Air-Energy Plan and awarded the "Positive Energy Territory" label, the Central Alsace region has been pursuing ecological transition since 2011, notably through the development of a White Paper focused on the following areas:

• Buildings: Improving the energy performance of existing buildings
• Energy: Producing, using, and optimising renewable energy
• Public Lighting: Optimising lighting to reduce municipal energy costs
• Sustainable Mobility: Strengthening the overall mobility plan and promoting low-emission transport
• Air Quality: Reducing pollutants from heating, transport, industry, and agriculture
• Food: Promoting local and organic production to meet regional needs
• Economy: Reducing energy dependence in businesses and supporting the local and circular economy
• Urban Planning: Providing the right tools to build an energy-efficient territory

The development of the Climate-Air-Energy Plan (PCAET), which the PETR has been engaged in since January 2018, further strengthens the region’s Climate-Air-Energy strategy and builds on existing and ongoing initiatives.

Climate Protection in Kehl
Environmental and climate protection have been among the City of Kehl’s key priorities for many years. As early as 1995, an air quality management plan was established in cooperation with the City of Strasbourg as part of the first INTERREG project. Since 1995, Kehl has been a member of the Climate Alliance (Klima-Bündnis), adopting binding targets for CO₂ emission reductions.

For the past 15 years, a dedicated environmental officer has worked with children and young people, supporting schools and kindergartens in raising awareness about environmental issues. Private homeowners have also been receiving financial support over the past 16 years to upgrade their homes in line with new energy efficiency standards. Through these measures, Kehl actively contributes to raising the building renovation rate, which currently averages around 1% in Germany. A significant share of CO₂ emissions comes from heat production, and residents are offered free initial advice to help identify energy-saving opportunities.

To further promote renewable energy, the City of Kehl established a heat cooperative in partnership with the energy supplier badenova. This cooperative enables decentralised energy-efficient combined heat and power production to supply electricity and heat to municipal buildings as well as private homes. A dedicated energy project manager monitors municipal property, using building management technology to read and control individual building consumption data remotely from the town hall. Kehl also aims to be exemplary in mobility. Since 2011, Car-Sharing-Autos have been providing service vehicles, which residents can also use. 

To advance climate protection further, a municipal climate plan was developed and adopted by the City Council in November 2013. It includes a ten-year catalogue of measures designed to reduce CO₂ emissions. The plan was prepared with the support of an environmental consulting firm and involved all city stakeholders. An energy audit and CO₂ assessment were carried out to define the baseline, and the potential for renewable energy was evaluated. A climate protection manager was recruited to oversee the implementation and management of over 30 projects included in the catalogue.

New member! More details coming soon.

In the context of an evolving international energy landscape, the Swiss Federal Council has developed the 2050 Energy Strategy, which aims to maintain Switzerland’s high level of energy supply while reducing the environmental impact of energy consumption.

The Jura government is also implementing an ambitious energy policy aimed at achieving maximum energy autonomy. By 2035, the canton aims to produce at least two-thirds of its electricity and heat locally. At the same time, efforts are made to enable consumers to achieve energy self-sufficiency by developing alternatives to nuclear and fossil energy sources.

Based on the assessment of the 2015–2021 action plan and the objectives of the 2022–2026 action plan, the canton has defined the following strategic priorities:

1. Maximise local renewable electricity production
2. Control electricity consumption
3. Maximise local decarbonised heat production
4. Minimise heat consumption
5. Decarbonise energy for mobility
6. Improve communication on the objectives and results of the cantonal energy strategy