Climate Statements from Our Members

Munich, Germany

Joachim Lorenz, Permanent Councillor and President of Climate Alliance

The city of Munich has a CO2 emission reduction target of 47% by 2020. We - and all members of Climate Alliance - are committed to act.  Therefore we also urge national governments to take their responsibility and agree on a legally binding international framework for action in the future.

Linz, Austria

Eva Schobesberger, Councillor and Board member of Climate Alliance

With the solarCity, Linz has implemented one of the first energy efficient and sustainable urban districts worldwide. In order to continue this policy, financial support is necessary. Existing funding instruments should be expanded and new funding schemes should be developed.

Beckerich, Luxembourg

Camille Gira, Mayor and Board member of Climate Alliance

Energy self-sufficiency is the long term objective of Beckerich. Today we generate 90% of our low-tension electricity and 30% of our heat demand. We try to derive maximum benefit of the enormous wind, solar and biomass potential specific to rural areas. In 2010, we raised €400, 000 euros by selling heat. Local energy production is important also from an economic point of view: money stays in Beckerich and benefits the local economy.

Bad Oeynhausen, Germany

Klaus Mueller-Zahlmann, Mayor

In the last 10 years we have achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions by 50% in our own facilities. Energy management is a pay-back contribution to climate protection.

Banja Luka, Bosnia-Herzegovina

Dragoljub Davidovic, Mayor

The City of Banja Luka belongs to the first group of signatories of the Covenant of Mayors and with the support of the Climate Change Council it prepared an ambitious Sustainable Energy Action Plan, which was ratified by the City Council and contains important projects for Banja Luka.
We see the membership in Climate Alliance's network of cities as an important step to exchange experiences with our colleagues, especially taking into account the active role of our German partner city Kaiserslautern, which is both a Climate
Alliance member and acts as our mentor city for the Covenant of Mayors.

Baunatal, Germany

Silke Engler-Kurz, Vice Mayor

Our way to an energy-efficient and climate protecting future:

- a pilot energy concept
- individual advice and
- a concerted development programme.

Citta di Castello, Italy

Luca Secondi, Head of Environment and Transport Department

As the new head of environment department, I gave immediate priority to having a CO2 emission inventory and a Sustainable Energy Action Plan in place. They are vital strategic instruments to orient, guide and monitor our progress towards becoming a low carbon territory.

Cologne, Germany

Fritz Schramma, Lord Mayor

Cologne needs higher walls against flood risk from the Rhine river. We commit ourselves to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in our city and worldwide.

Donaueschingen, Germany

Thorsten Frei, Lord Mayor

For a long time, we have been trying to reduce energy consumption in all municipal buildings and have achieved good results. This year, we connected 3 town halls and a multi-purpose hall to a district heating network which is fed by industrial waste heat. We also built a solar heating system for a public open-air pool.

Dortmund, Germany

Ullrich Sierau, City Director

We have no local project without energy efficiency. Westphalia Halls Dortmund for instance was the winner of the EuroSolar Energy Award in 2005 in the category Owners or Users of Installations utilising Renewable Energies.

Düsseldorf, Germany

Dirk Elbers, Lord Mayor

The energy-efficient LED technology is trendsetting for city lighting and is to play an important factor in municipal climate protection.

Freiburg am Breisgau, Germany

Dr. Dieter Salomon, Lord Mayor

Energy conservation is the most effective way to sustainable climate protection. Freiburgs standards for thermal insulation are always one step ahead of German law.

Graz, Austria

Lisa Rücker, Deputy Mayor

KEK 2020 - Administration sets examples! As far as energy sufficiency and climate protection are concerned, municipal institutions of Graz set the right example: In co-operation with its departments and external bodies, action programmes are set up in fields such as the thermal sanitation of buildings; acquisition, maintenance and management of vehicle fleets; modernisation of street lighting; and utilisation of biogenous waste. 30% of energy and CO2 are to be reduced in public buildings and institutions until the year 2020 that way. The good example of politics and public institutions is also meant to lead to more awareness between the people of Graz.
 

Heidelberg, Germany

Eckart Würzner, Lord Mayor

The new Heidelberg fire station sets new energy and environmental standards. Built and insulated according to the passive house standards, it consumes less than 15 kilowatt hours for heating energy per m² per year, equivalent to 1.5 litres of heating oil. Photovoltaic facilities produce 49,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, so the building is virtually self-sufficient.

Hüfingen, Germany

Anton Knapp, Mayor

As a further step in our engagement for climate protection, a new kindergarten is being built to passive house standards, using techniques like a heat pump and ventilation with heat recuperation.

Kaiserslautern, Germany

Dr. Klaus Weichel, Mayor

Climate protection is a preventive measure for the future existence of our citizens, a creation of local value and economic promotion for Kaiserslautern.

Kötschach-Mauthen, Austria

Walter Hartlieb, Mayor

Today we produce 74% of the energy and heat that our community needs. Our aim is to reach 100% by 2020 and to be completely energy self-sufficient.

Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany

Dr. Eva Lohse, Mayor

Lu-teco is one of the biggest office complexes to date constructed to the passive house standards. Innovatively, we combine technology, sustainable urban development and climate protection.

Lustenau, Austria

Hans-Dieter Grabher, Mayor

Investments in soft mobility and green energy have key function in climate protection. Lustenau spends more than 3 million Euros on mobility measures. Being ecological makes economic sense!

Mörfelden-Walldorf, Germany

Heinz-Peter Becker, Mayor

Mörfelden-Walldorf is active in the field of climate protection. Using solar energy is active climate protection. Our programme SolarStadtplan has been communicating this to the general public for many years now with great success.
 

Münster, Germany

Dr. Berthold Tillmann, Mayor

Since 1990, Münster has carried out a consistent and continuous climate protection policy - so that our city remains as liveable in the future.

Oldenburg, Germany

Prof. Dr. Gerd Schwandner, Lord Mayor

Cities play a key role in climate protection. We should promote and stimulate future-orientated low-energy houses and apply this standard to our municipal building inventory.

Osnabrück, Germany

Boris Pistorius, Mayor

SunArea, Europes first register of all the roofs in a city which are suitable for solar power, is online! 26,000 roofs show good/ very good conditions.

Puchheim, Germany

Dr. Herbert Kränzlein, Mayor

Enhancing energy efficiency and using renewables are the most effective means for averting climate change. That's why we combine both in our new school building.

Rheine, Germany

Dr. Angelika Kordfelder, Mayor

In co-operation with its municipal utilities, the City of Rheine implemented a comprehensive solar support programme and installed photovoltaic plants worth a total of 2.5 million Euros on public buildings such as the Rheine municipal outdoor swimming pool.

The Hague, Netherlands

Jozias Johannes van Aartsen, Mayor

In The Hague we interpret "change" in climate change as an opportunity to become more innovative. Innovative in finding better sustainable housing and business solutions; changing our urban fabric to become climate proof. We invite all to join and help us in this quest.
 

Trier, Germany

Klaus Jensen, Lord Mayor

Climate protection is a global responsibility, which can be implemented most effectively at local level in co-operation with qualified participants.

Vienna, Austria

Dr. Michael Häupl, Mayor

Our Climate Protection Programme has reduced the annual greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 3 Mio tons. Furthermore, Vienna will make its contribution to tackle climate change.

Maria Vassilakou, Deputy Mayor

We need to change our ways of thinking and place energy in the focus of our policies and growth. Our economies can no longer depend on oil. We have to foster energy efficiency and renewable energy in all aspects of daily life, also in mobility. Cities will be motors of energy innovation - and can work towards becoming carbon free. (Picture credit: Lukas Beck)

Zwischenwasser, Austria

Josef Mathis, Mayor

Vision Statement of Zwischenwasser on Energy: The municipality is a "lighthouse" for the citizens in energy questions.